The Medal of Honor was presented to him, in secret, at the Washington Navy Yard by the Secretary of the Navy, rather than at the White House by the President. This represents the only time a Medal of Honor recipient was awarded in such a manner. After being promoted to captain in October 1967 and recovering from his wounds he was given command of the new ammunition ship . His last command was as the Commanding officer of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit at the University of Oklahoma. He retired from active duty in 1974.