 For his service during the Operation Crossroads, Riley received Distinguished Flying Cross.Riley entered the National War College in Washington in September 1950 and completed the instruction there one year later.He then served Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans on the staff of Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet under Admiral Lynde D. McCormick at Norfolk, Virginia until February 1952, when McCormick's command was expanded to Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic as the part of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Riley became its Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans, Policy and Operations.