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.

[2] Once transferred to the 28th Aero Squadron on 27 August 1918,[3] 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 and four other pilots.

Stenseth won the Distinguished Service Cross 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.

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