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 took on the role of staff cartoonist for Leatherneck Magazine, where he worked alongside Joanne Vaught as an administrative assistant. The pair tied the knot in 1955 and settled in Arlington, Virginia. He continued with Leatherneck until 1956 before leaving the military with the rank of Staff Sergeant.