 During World War II, he served as a basic flying instructor at Independence Army Air Field, Kan., and in February 1945 he went to the Southwest Pacific area where he was a pilot, adjutant and aide-de-camp with XI Corps East Air Forces.From October 1947 to January 1950, he served in a variety of positions with the Air Proving Ground, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., including adjutant and group personnel officer, and during this period attended the Air Tactical School.He next attended the University of Colorado.