At the start of World War II he was Operations Chief for the 2nd Mountain Division (Vânători de munte), under the command of General Ioan Dumitrache. He fought in the Crimean campaign, was wounded, and then returned to the front. During the war he rose to the rank of colonel. He was decorated in 1940 with the Order of the Star of Romania, 3rd Class, and in 1941 with the Order of the German Eagle. After being discharged in 1946, he joined the National Liberal Party–Tătărescu. He started a small farm to provide milk to the Câmpulung market; accused of economic sabotage, he went into hiding.