2/6th was engaged in the heavy fighting around the airfield named New Strip until the early December 1942 during which time they were employed mainly in a traditional infantry role. In mid-December, the 2/6th was withdrawn to Soputa and then Port Moresby, where they spent Christmas prior to returning to Australia for re-organisation and refurbishment. He returned with the 2/6th to Australia in March 1943 and after some leave, re-assembled at the Army's Jungle Warfare Centre at Canungra, Queensland. As part of the Army-wide re-organisation that was being undertaken, the 2/6th Independent Company became known as the 2/6th Commando Squadron. The 2/6th sailed from Townsville for Port Moresby in August 1943, and then, in the middle of September, with Gordon in command, it was flown to an area just west of the Leron River, in the Markham Valley for the upcoming Markham–Ramu campaign. Attached to the 7th Division, the squadron provided flank protection during the campaign, mainly carrying out reconnaissance and long range patrols, although they were also used to capture and hold ground in advance of the main formation at times. During the Battle of Kaiapit, on 19–20 September 1943, Gordon was wounded in the leg, however he continued to lead his men against overwhelming odds and was later awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his actions. After recovering from his wounds, he led his men and continued to provide flank protection for the 7th Division during its advance to Shaggy Ridge. He was promoted to major in December 1943, and led the company until July 1945, including during the early stages of the battle of Balikpapan. He was discharged from the Army in September 1945. Later life After the war, Gordon completed his architectural degree and practised as an architect until he joined his father's stockbroking firm of Ralph W. King and Yuill as a partner in 1955. He married Jeannette Poate in 1949. Gordon continued his affiliation with the Army, joining the 17/18th Battalion, the North Shore Regiment, which was formed as part of the Citizens Military Force in 1948. He was appointed the commanding officer of the Sydney University Regiment in 1954. The regiment was in camp at Singleton, New South Wales, when the 1955 Hunter Valley floods occurred, and participated in relief and cleanup efforts. Following an explosion and fire in the Pokolbin State Forest in 1956, King grabbed his poncho and wrapped a sergeant