[1][3][4][5][6][7][8] His father, Aaron, immigrated to the United States from Kiev in the 1890s, and died in 1964, having founded Commercial Light Co., a Chicago electrical contractor in 1915.

[4][16][18][25] In the invasion of North Africa in November 1942, he sailed his scout ship from seven miles off-shore in complete darkness to French Morocco, located and marked landing beaches with landing signals, guided assault troops to their targets while being strafed by enemy planes, and became the first American in the invasion to capture two of the enemy when he personally captured two officers.

[2][16][26][27] In recognition of his efforts, including his extraordinary heroism, skill, courage, and fearless devotion to duty under hazardous conditions, he received a presidential citation and the Navy Cross.

Naval Unit Six, from December 1944 to September 1945, in secret guerrilla action against the Japanese behind enemy lines in Fukien Province, China.

[16] During that time, his team of Americans trained 2,500 Chinese guerrillas to fight the Japanese, planned and executed operations resulting in the killing of 1,300 enemy troops, destroyed shipping, and assisted in the rescue of 16 U.S.

[16] In a rare form of recognition for American servicemen, the Nationalist Chinese government awarded him the Yun Hui "Order of the Cloud and Banner", its highest honor, often given to Admirals and Generals.

[2][16] The insignia features a fluttering yellow flag, surrounded by white clouds on a blue field, and radiating golden rays.

[14] He won a bronze medal for the United States in the Star class (mixed two-person keelboat) at the 1960 Summer Olympics in the Bay of Naples in Italy, at the age of 52, together with William Parks.

[14] In 1963, he won a gold medal along with Richard Stearns at the Pan American Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil, sailing the Ninotchka.

[2] The company was involved in projects at key Chicago landmarks, including the John Hancock Center, O'Hare International Airport, and Wrigley Field.