In September 1939, with the outbreak of the World War II, he was absorbed into the Royal Indian Navy as a Sub-lieutenant.

[5] He served aboard the Frigate HMIS Indus which was on convoy escort duty in the Red Sea and off the coast of Ethiopia.

He was transferred to the frigate HMIS Hindustan in 1941, which was part of an escort for a troop convoy from Ceylon to Rangoon.

Samson was promoted to acting Commander with effect from 30 June 1948 and was appointed the First Naval Adviser to the High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom.

As Flag Captain, he served under three Fleet Commanders – Rear Admirals F A Ballance, St John Tyrwhitt and Ram Dass Katari.

[14] Samson was promoted to acting Rear Admiral and appointed as the first Naval Commandant of the National Defence Academy, assuming office on 27 December 1958.

[15] Promoted substantive rear admiral on 22 November 1962,[16] he was the Reviewing Officer of the Passing Out Parade of the 23rd course on 7 December 1962.

[17] In April 1962, he was appointed the next Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (DCNS), succeeding Rear Admiral Adhar Kumar Chatterji.

[19] On 31 December 1963, while still doing the course at the Imperial Defence College, he was appointed the Flag Officer Commanding Indian Fleet (FOCIF).

In his own words, "This to me was the perfect culmination of my naval career – commanding a fleet of several fine warships at sea."

In a rare gesture, on 3 June 1972 Samson was promoted to the honorary rank of Vice Admiral for his outstanding contribution to the Frigate project and the Mazagaon Dock.