 He returned to Staunton in 1936, became a member of the Virginia bar and began practicing law with his father.Six years later, World War II erupted, and Cochran served in the U.S. Navy, mostly in the Pacific from 1942 until 1946, as he refused desk and legal jobs and sought those involving amphibious service.In 1964, the former family law firm became Cochran, Lotz and Black.