 He was a tenth-generation descendant of Pocahontas and a third cousin of Air Force four-star general Charles P. Cabell.His decorations include the Navy Cross, awarded for distinguished service as naval attaché and liaison officer in Paris during World War I, officer of the French Legion of Honour and grand officer of the Portuguese Military Order of Aviz.In 1898, he took honorable mention in the annual essay contest administered by the United States Naval Institute.