After graduating from the Naval Academy, Schirra was commissioned as an ensign in the United States Navy on June 6, 1945. Schirra served during the final months of World War II aboard the large cruiser . Following the Japanese surrender, Schirra returned to America, where the "Alaska" was decommissioned. He was subsequently stationed to Tsingtao and assigned to the amphibious command ship . Following his return from China, Schirra began training as a Naval Aviator at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.