When the Navy's Bureau of Navigation circulated a letter asking for volunteers for rigid airship duty, Rosendahl volunteered. He reported to Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey, to be trained in airship operation on April 7, 1923. Designated a Naval Aviator in November 1924, Rosendahl served on the dirigible as mooring officer and navigator. Promoted to lieutenant commander on January 5, 1925, he distinguished himself by successfully bringing the bow section of the shattered airship safely to earth after she broke up in the air on September 31925 over Noble County, Ohio. For this action he was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.