Complex sentence: In February 1942, he received a third star upon assuming command of Cruiser Division 2 and seven months later, took command of the 4th Fleet, being put in charge of protecting vital Allied shipping in the U-boat infested South Atlantic.
Split into simpler sentences: In February 1942 he received a third star upon assuming command of Cruiser Division 2. Seven months later he took command of the 4th Fleet and was responsible for protecting vital Allied shipping in the U-boat infested South Atlantic.