That didn't sound right, and I was planning to do more digging, then I read down to here:
He enlisted in the Navy in December 1919 and served continuously in the enlisted ranks until November 1943, when he received a commission as a Lieutenant (Junior Grade).
So both the Captain and this guy came up through the ranks. Perhaps that's why there was such concern for saving the enlisted men trapped below deck.
There's a lot to be said for "coming up through the ranks". You don't learn everything in a classroom.