[1][2] Van Deerlin served in the United States Army for four years during World War II in the Field Artillery, on the staff of Stars and Stripes newspaper (Mediterranean), and in the overseas service in Italy.

As chairman of the House Subcommittee on Communications, Van Deerlin encouraged competition in the telecommunications industry by conducting hearings that led to the breakup of AT&T.

Hunter's campaign was initially considered a longshot, but he gained considerable traction by painting Van Deerlin as weak on defense.

Besides using the "weak on defense" label in a solid military-based economy that is omnipresent in the San Diego metropolitan area, Hunter's activities (such as helping the poor receive legal assistance) in the community were also an asset.

The Lionel Van Deerlin Endowed Chair in Communications at San Diego State was named in his honor.