He went to St. John's Military Academy and earned a citation wreath while there. This award is given for being in the top 10 percent of ROTC for the years there as well as being deemed worthy of the award by the professor of military science. He completed his courses and served in Fort Royal, Virginia in the Remount Depots. He then took command of the 603rd Tank Destroyer Battalion. They went to Cannock, England to be deployed to Utah beach on July 21st and 22nd, 1944. He was injured on August 1st, 1944 and went to the hospital for his injuries. He was granted permission to return to his unit shortly after.