Retired CWO McPherson served from 1942 when he was drafted after the attack on Pearl Harbor, until his retirement in April 1983. His military years were divided between the 104th infantry where he began his career; the Army Security Agency (ASA); the National Security Agency (NSA) and then back to the Army Security Agency. During his military career, CWO McPherson had been awarded twenty nine medals and awards including two Legion of Merit, one being an Oak Leaf Cluster. Legion of Merit awards can only be approved by an act of congress, and signed by the President of the United States.