 During World War I, Blumenschein led a national effort to produce range-finder paintings used to help train military gunners.In 1910, Blumenschein was elected into the National Academy of Design as an Associate member, and became a full member in 1927.In 1947 he was awarded an Honorary Master of Arts from University of New Mexico and the following year he was named Honorary Fellow in Fine Arts by the School of American Research.