After graduating from the New Lincoln School, Deerfield Academy, and Amherst College, Morgenthau commissioned in the United States Navy, serving for four and a half years during World War II. He attained the rank of lieutenant commander, and served as the executive officer of both the USS Lansdale and the USS Harry F. Bauer. Naval records indicate heroic action during the Battle of Iwo Jima — the Bauer was attacked by thirteen kamikazes, and survived a torpedo and dive bomber attack (both failed to detonate). He saw action in both the Mediterranean and Pacific theaters, mostly aboard destroyers,Robert Morgenthau from the Jewish Virtual Library for which he was awarded both the Bronze and Gold stars.
