Transferred to the in February 1941, he was serving as Engineering Officer of that destroyer, based at Pearl Harbor, when the Japanese attacked the Naval Base there on December 7, 1941. Throughout the most part of World War II, he had duty in destroyers, serving as Executive and Commanding Officer of the (May 1942-December 1943) and in command of the (May 1944-April 1945), which he commissioned. During the war in the Pacific he participated in action off Bougainville Island, the Battle of the Coral Sea, attack and occupation of Salamaua-Lae, and in action at Finschhafen, Araw, Manila, Hong Kong, Saigon, Formosa, Okinawa, Tokyo, and Iwo Jima. For his outstanding service during the war he was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with Combat "V", the Purple Heart, and a Letter of Commendation with Ribbon.