In October 1952 he entered training as an aviation cadet at James Connally Air Force Base, Texas, and graduated with distinction in May 1953, earning his wings and a commission as a second lieutenant.

Beginning in May 1954 he was an aircraft observer at Wold Chamberlain Field, Minnesota, and in August 1954 at Fairbanks, Alaska, with the 18th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron.

In August 1958 he was placed in charge of an advance party in the movement of the intelligence school to Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas.

[1] In September 1961, Larson attended Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, Texas, under the "Operation Bootstrap" program, receiving a bachelor of arts degree in English in 1962.

During the war in Vietnam, the 6990th provided direct support to Air Force combat elements and received the Travis Trophy as the most outstanding cryptologic activity in the Department of Defense.

[1] In September 1974, Larson was appointed director for intelligence, Headquarters United States Pacific Command at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii.

[1] Since 1979, the Maj. Gen. Doyle E. Larson Award has recognized the top technicians vital to the accomplishment of the Air Force's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission.