 He then went to The Basic School in Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, and after completion in December 1951, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division in Korea, where he served as an infantry platoon commander.Returning to the United States in September 1952, he served with the 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.In June, 1953, he was assigned duties aboard the heavy cruiser , where he served consecutively as executive officer and commanding officer of the ship's Marine Detachment.