Ensign Gilger served as a Pharmacist Mate PHM3C in Hawaii until assigned to midshipman school for 32 weeks at Northwestern University in Chicago. He subsequently received 12 weeks of amphibious training, serving in the Asiatic Pacific. Ensign Gilger was aboard the USS Talladega (APA 208) where he participated in the landing of the first occupational troops in Japan at Yokohama on September 2, 1945. He had the distinction of being on board the first attack transport to dock in Japan. He further participated in the landing of occupational troops and equipment at Kure, Japan on October 5, 1945. Ensign Gilger was the Talladega's assistant commanding officer as well as the ships secretary.