When he retired in June 1988 he became the first African-American Coast Guard Academy graduate to retire as a regular line office from the service, and held the rank of Lieutenant Commander during his last 10 years of service.
He became the first African-American Coast Guard Academy graduate. This was to retire as a regular line office from the service. He held the rank of Lieutenant Commander during his last 10 years of service. He retired in June 1988.