 He attended Benjamin Franklin Elementary and Junior High Schools in Binghamton, New York, and graduated from Binghamton North High School in Binghamton, New York in 1964.While still in high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (USMCR) on September 18, 1963 and was assigned to the 48th Rifle Company, USMCR, Binghamton.In September 1964, he completed recruit training with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina.