United States Army Forces in the Far East
During World War II he fought in the United States Army Forces in the Far East and was a commanding officer for the 3rd Battalion, 74th Regiment, and 71st Division in Negros. From 1942 to 1945, instead of surrendering to the Imperial Japanese Army, he led the 72nd Division of the 7th Military District on the island of Negros and assisted in the liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese invaders. He served as aide-de-camp for President Sergio Osmeña. He later completed the Infantry Officer's Advanced Course at Fort Benning, Georgia and the Command and General Staff College course at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.