ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd θˈɜːɾi ˈeɪt, wɪð ɐ ɹˈæŋk ʌv tʃˈiːf pˈɛɾi ˈɑːfɪsɚ, hiː ɹɪzˈaɪnd fɹʌmðə nˈeɪvi tʊ ɐksˈɛpt ɐ pəzˈɪʃən æz ɐn ˈʌʃɚɹ ɪnðə wˈaɪt hˈaʊs.
In 1938, with a rank of chief petty officer, he resigned from the Navy to accept a position as an usher in the White House.