Doc is a qualified doctor, having gained his M.D. from Harvard Medical School. He also has extensive battlefield training. As with many battlefield medics, Doc is an avowed pacifist.

Doc is personally inspired by the G.I.Joe team's desire to maintain peace and shut down evil.

In a latter Marvel Comics issue, Doc did not survive an encounter with hostile Cobra forces in a Middle-Eastern country. Several other Joe members on the same mission also perished.

For his niece see Doc.