This was followed by AGO (Aviation Ground Officer) school at NAS Jacksonville and HATU (Heavy Attack Training Unit) at Naval Air Station Sanford, Florida.

He made an around the world cruise in 1964, as part of Operation Sea Orbit, while deployed on the USS Enterprise with Heavy Attack Squadron 7 (VAH-7).

Dunleavy flew 69 combat missions while deployed to Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, with Attack Squadron 85 (VA-85) - based at the time on the USS America (CV-66).

[7][8] While commanding the Coral Sea, he participated in the Iranian Hostage Crisis rescue attempt of April 1980 while patrolling in Gonzo Station, near Iran.

Dunleavy was extremely well-liked and respected, and was considered an excellent commanding officer by those who served under him on the Coral Sea.

[5][12] In 1991, Admiral Dunleavy was the highest-ranking officer at the annual Tailhook Association Symposium in Las Vegas, NV.

He had acknowledged that he encouraged "leg shaving," that he knew that strippers were performing and that he was aware of the activities during "the gauntlet", during which at least 26 women (naval officers and civilians) were systematically groped and sexually assaulted.

His letter of reprimand said that Admiral Dunleavy "condoned and did not act to terminate such conduct as the gauntlet, mooning and the presence of strippers in the [hotel] hospitality suites.