He served as an enlisted man in the United States Marine Corps 1942 - 1946 with twenty - eight months overseas and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal ; he retired as a major in the United States Marine Corps Reserve .
He served as an enlisted man in the United States Marine Corps from 1942 to 1946 , of which 28 months were spent overseas , and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal . 
 He retired as a major in the United States Marine Corps Reserve .