sentences:  He instructed naval reservists in the 3d Naval District for two years before reporting to "Kearny" (DD-432) on 10 June 1940 to serve as executive officer and navigator.He was commended by the Secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox, for "Leadership, personal courage and ingenuity in solving the many problems arising under adverse conditions" when "Kearny" was torpedoed off Iceland on 17 October 1941.Given command of "McCormick" (DD-223) on 8 December 1941, he was detached on 3 October to supervise the outfitting of "Maddox" (DD-622) and he assumed command of that destroyer at her commissioning on 3 October 1942.