Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign
In August 1943 he became commander of Carrier Division 12, flying his flag on . He became commander of Carrier Division 3 in March 1944, with his flag on . As such, he commanded a Task Group of the Fast Carrier Task Force, which was known as Task Force 58 when part of the Fifth Fleet and Task Force 38 when part of the Third Fleet. During the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign he led Task Group 50.3, with the carriers "Essex", "Bunker Hill" and . His Task Group attacked Rabaul on 11 November, and then bombed Tarawa for three days from 18 to 20 November. For his part in the campaign, he was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal: