kalergis enlisted in the u.s. army in february 1941, prior to the start of world war ii. he was commissioned as a lieutenant after attending the field artillery officer candidate school at fort sill, oklahoma in 1942. he served as an artillery officer with the 882nd field artillery battalion. by november 1943, he was a captain and battalion adjutant and promoted to major shortly after the unit arrived in france in february 1945. he was awarded the bronze star while with the 882nd which generally supported the 70th infantry division's 274th infantry regiment during the rhineland and central europe campaigns.