he joined the u. s. army national guard in marion in 1917 as a second lieutenant and helped organize company m under the third regiment infantry, kansas national guard. during the first world war he was called to active duty and was transferred to company m, one hundred thirty-ninth infantry regiment, thirty-fifth infantry division which deployed to france in early 1918. he was promoted to first lieutenant during the argonne offensive, and served until his discharge on may 8, 1919.