He became famous for his legendary dexterity as C.O of the destroyer Adrias because after striking on a mine and losing her bow, he managed to save her by masterfully driving her from the Aegean to Alexandria, Egypt, in December 1943.

After the liberation of Greece, he was assigned important posts in the Royal Navy, at the same time, since 1955 he involved in politics, and during the period of 1956-1977 he was elected member of the Parliament several times, and even assumed ministerial portfolios.

In 1991, four years before his passing away, he was elected president of the Academy of Athens.