Designated as naval aviator in 1932, he served in scouting squadrons in the heavy cruiser USS Salt Lake City (CA-25) and the aircraft carriers USS Enterprise (CV-6) and USS Yorktown (CV-5). In 1941 he was at the Bureau of Aeronautics when U.S. entered World War II—was transferred as Commander Carrier Air Group Two in the Hornet (CV-8). Later was CO of the escort carrier USS Badoeng Strait (CVE-116)in the Korean area, then CO of the attack aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59). He was Commander Seventh Fleet when the Gulf of Tonkin incident occurred and in 1965 became CinC U.S. Pacific Fleet until his retirement in 1967. Among topics covered are: training of night fighters; U.S. development of Cam Ranh Bay; study of seaplane as a weapons system; effectiveness of PBYs.