John, known by his friends as Jack, served in the Navy during the Korean conflict. After college he attended Officer Candidate School in Newport for 60 days in the spring of 1952. Upon completion he became an officer in the Naval Security Group and was dispatched to Adak Island, Alaska, part of the Aleutian Chain. Because Alaska had not yet gained statehood, this was considered over-seas duty.
Jack and his bride, Pemmy, endured what he called “the worst weather in the world”, living in a Quonset Hut on the tundra with high winds, rain, fog, and an earthquake every few weeks. Not ideal, but nevertheless a remarkable and memorable experience. His watch routines were such that he and Pemmy had many opportunities bundle up and tramp around the tundra. They were even able to fish for tiny shrimp in the frigid waters of the fjord–like harbor.
Having completed one year of over-seas duty, Jack was required to return for the next two years to Washington, D.C. working as the Administrative Officer for the Comptroller of the National Security Agency (NSA), who was a colonel in the United States Air Force, and highly regarded by Jack.
