Brigadier General Martinus Stenseth began his career in the Minnesota National Guard in June 1916, before the United States entered World War I. He remained in the military as a professional soldier, rising to the rank of brigadier general.

World War I

Stenseth was a corporal when he transferred into the U.S. Air Service in December. Following pilot training, he was sent to France in October 1917. Once transferred to the 28th Aero Squadron on 27 August 1918, Lieutenant Stenseth became its leading ace with eight confirmed aerial victories during the autumn of 1918, sharing two of his wins with the likes of Thomas Cassady

Thomas Cassady

Captain Thomas Gantz Cassady was a patriot who served his nation in two World Wars, and was successful in business during peacetime.-World War I:...

 and four other pilots. Stenseth won the Distinguished Service Cross

Distinguished Service Cross (United States)

The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...

 for his gallantry on 22 October 1918, when he flew his Spad XIII to the aid of a beleaguered French pilot and shot down one of six German attackers, and drove the others off, despite a nearby formation of 12 more Germans.

Post World War I

When the war ended, he remained in the army. He commanded several fighter squadrons during the interwar years. He served in the Philippines during the 1930s, and was Military Attache to Latvia and Finland during 1940. In 1941, he founded Nellis Air Force Base, which he commanded on two subsequent occasions. He retired in 1947.

Reference

• American Aces of World War I. Norman Franks, Harry Dempsey. Osprey Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-84176-375-6, 9781841763750.