In 1934 Settle transferred to sailing duties, initially as captain of the China-based . In 1944–1945 he commanded the heavy cruiser , earning the Navy Cross for his action in the Battle of Surigao Strait. After World War II Vice Admiral Settle held Navy appointments in the continental United States and overseas, and was charged with tasks ranging from distributing international aid to Greece and Turkey to conducting nuclear tests in the Aleutian islands.