Graduating from the Naval Academy in 1935, Commander Talerico served in battleships, heavy cruisers, and light cruisers. After duty in the Neutrality Patrol off Iceland, he took part in the Aleutian, Tarawa, Philippine, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa campaigns, and while serving with the fast carrier task forces he took part in the raids on Formosa, Japan, and in the South China Sea. His present duty is as an instructor in Seamanship at the Naval Academy.