A 1911 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he began his military career as a United States Army officer in the Coast Artillery Corps prior to World War I, then spent the remainder of his service as a career aviator.
Angkatan tahun 1911 dari United States Naval Academy, ia memulai karier militernya sebagai perwira Angkatan Darat Amerika Serikat di Coast Artillery Corps sebelum Perang Dunia I, kemudian menjalani sisa tugasnya sebagai penerbang.