Prior to his service in the U.S. Coast Guard, He was appointed as a cadet midshipman in the United States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps during World War II, after attending United States Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) in 1942.

He served in various theaters of war on board the SS Black Hawk, M/V Brandywine, and the U.S. Army Hospital Ship Seminole, including participation in the Sicilian invasion while still a cadet.

[1] He maintained a license as Master of ocean steam and motor vessels of unlimited tonnage.

Previous assignments as a flag officer have been as Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District; Chief, Office of Operations; and Chief of Staff of the U.S. Coast Guard.

He died at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.