He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1948, and served in the U.S. Army and Air Force for 25 years, retiring as a major in 1967.
His first teacher was Walter Todd, a 2nd Degree in Judo, and the first American to be awarded a black belt in Shotokan Karate.
Porter started competing in Judo in 1951 and had a competitive career spanning over 50 years.
He refereed the finals in the 1965 World Judo Championships in Brazil between Geesink and Matsunaga.
Porter founded the United States Martial Arts Association (USMAA) in 1995 and remained president until his death in August 2011.