 He received training as an astronomic observer in 1948, and that year was commissioned as an ensign in the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Corps.In early 1948 he was assigned to the ocean survey ship USC&GS "Explorer" (OSS 28) and spent six months on surveying activity in the Aleutian Islands, including significant time ashore on Kiska and on Rat Island.In 1949, he was assigned to the Coast and Geodetic Survey's Arctic Field Party, and spent February or March to September of each year from 1949 to 1951 operating in the Territory of Alaska surveying the Alaska North Slope.