Between 1921 and 1924, with the rank of Lieutenant Commander, he was in command of torpedo boats, and in 1927-1928 he commanded the destroyer "Giovanni Nicotera"; in 1933-1934, after promotion to Commander, he commanded the destroyer "Giovanni da Verrazzano". He was then promoted to Captain and appointed in 1937-1938 as naval commander in Italian East Africa, with headquarters in Massawa, and in 1939 he participated in the conquest of Albania, earning a War Cross for Military Valor for his role in the capture of Durres.