In 1954, he was sent to Washington, D.C., where he became a staff cartoonist and the cartoon editor for Leatherneck Magazine, where Joanne Vaught was an administrative assistant. The two married in 1955, living in Arlington, Virginia. Continuing with Leatherneck until 1956, he left the Corps with the rank of Staff Sergeant.
He was dispatched to Washington, D.C. in 1954 and assumed the position of staff cartoonist for Leatherneck Magazine, where Joanne Vaught held a supporting role as administrative assistant. The couple married in 1955 and resided in Arlington, Virginia. He remained with Leatherneck until 1956 before exiting the Corps with the rank of Staff Sergeant.