 He became commander of the 2nd Engineer Amphibian Brigade (later renamed the 2nd Engineer Special Brigade) on 8 August 1942, with the rank of brigadier general from 10 September 1942.He remained with this formation for the rest of the war, as it moved from Camp Edwards, Massachusetts, to Camp Carrabelle, Florida, and then to the South West Pacific Area in January 1943.There, the 2nd Engineer Special Brigade participated in 82 amphibious operations.