In December 1967, he returned to the Far East, where he assumed duty as the Chief of Staff III Marine Amphibious Force – Republic of Vietnam. He held that assignment until January 1969 and for his service was awarded a Navy Distinguished Service Medal. He also was awarded a Knight of the National Order of Vietnam, the Vietnamese Army Distinguished Service Order (1st Class), a Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm, and a Korean Order of Military Merit Chungmu Cordon. While serving in Vietnam, he was promoted to major general on September 1, 1968. Upon his return to the United States, he reported to HQMC, where he served briefly as special assistant to the chief of staff. In March 1969, he was reassigned as deputy director, Personnel HQMC and the head of the personnel department, the first aviator to be assigned to those billets.