He received the Legion of Merit award and was a member of the Naval Order of the United States.

Layer worked as a math teacher at Pennsylvania Military College for two years after graduation.

He served during World War II as a special naval observer from 1941 to 1942, as an intelligence officer in the United States Marine Corps Staff and Command School from 1943 to 1944 and as a lieutenant colonel in 1945.

[4] He served as a senior advisor to the Republic of Korea Marine Corps and received the Military Order of Ulchi with Gold Star for his service.

[6] After leaving the military, Layer worked as supervising foreman for the Sun Oil Company.