He briefly commanded two anti-submarine vessels, USS YP-422 and USS PC-815, in coastal waters off Massachusetts, Oregon and California in 19 respectively. Most of his military service was spent ashore in the continental United States on administrative or training duties. He was 'severely wounded and was taken crippled and blinded' to a military hospital, where he 'worked his way back to fitness, strength and full perception in less than two years, using only what he knew and could determine about Man and his relationship to the universe.' However, his official Navy service records indicate that 'his military performance was, at times, substandard', that he was only awarded a handful of campaign medals and that he was never injured or wounded in combat and was never awarded a Purple Heart.

According to Scientology publications, he served as a 'Commodore of Corvette squadrons' in 'all five theaters of World War II' and was awarded 'twenty-one medals and palms' for his service. The Church of Scientology presents Hubbard as a 'much-decorated war hero who commanded a corvette and during hostilities was crippled and wounded'. His account of his military service later formed a major element of his public persona, as depicted by his Scientologist followers. Ron Hubbard's life, accounts of his military career are much disputed.

After the war he was mustered out of active service and resigned his commission in 1950. He saw active service between 1941–45, during World War II, as a naval Lieutenant (junior grade) and later as a Lieutenant. Ron Hubbard saw the future founder of Scientology serving in the United States Armed Forces as a member of the Marine Corps Reserve and, between 1941–50, the Navy Reserve.

L ron hubbard military record