In July 1947, at the age of 16, he entered the United States Navy where he served for twenty years, retiring in April 1967. During those twenty years he served in both the Korean and Vietnam war.

He was the most highly decorated enlisted man in the history of the U.S. Navy. On May 14, 1968 the President of the United States, in the name of Congress, presented him the Medal of Honor. His other awards include the Navy Cross, Silver Star (2 awards), The Legion of Merit (with Combat V), The Navy and Marine Corp Medal (2 awards), Bronze Star (3 Awards), Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star and Palm, Navy Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation (2 awards), Purple Heart (3 awards), Vietnam Service Medal (1 star), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal (1 star), United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal (2 stars), Korean Presidential Unit Citation and Good Conduct Medal (5 awards).

He retired from active service in 1967 and was employed with the Wackenhut Corporation as Lieutenant in Charge of Security and later as Chief Investigator for South Carolina. In 1969 he was appointed U. S. Marshal for the District of South Carolina where he served until May 1977. He was then transferred to Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, Georgia as an instructor and National Armorer. He was called back to South Carolina in July 1979 under court appointment as U. S. Marshal for South Carolina and served in that position until April 1980. He was then transferred to U. S. Marshal service Headquarters, Washington, D. C. as Programs Manager, Health and Safety and In-District Training Officer where he served until his retirement from the U. S. Marshal Service with the grade of GS-18.

He was past President of The Congressional Medal of Honor Society. He was a member of The American Legion, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, The Military Order of the Purple Heart, Fleet Reserve Association, Hammerton Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite and Omar Temple, PBR Forces Veterans Association and was a member of the Methodist Church. He served eight years on the Board of Patriots Point Authority, the largest Naval and Maritime Museum in the United States, located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

USS LST-1122