Graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1954 and served in the U. S. Air Force as a pilot/navigator and development officer on aircraft, missile, and electronic systems. He was the first person to solo a jet without first piloting a propeller plane. He accumulated over 10,000 military flying hours, including four years of flying in Vietnam. Amongst his awards were three Legions of Merit, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and seven Air Medals.