He became a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 1912, and belonged to various aeronautical and officers' clubs.
[2] King entered the army in September, 1917, with the rank of Captain and was assigned to the Aviation School of Aerial Observation at Post Field, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in charge of maintenance and repair of aeroplanes.
He was advanced to the rank of Major in August, 1918, and in November of that year was assigned to Indianapolis as chief engineering officer for aviation in the Northern District.
In April he was transferred to Washington, D.C., and from there he was assigned on special missions until July when he became flight commander and chief engineering officer of the American Pathfinding and Recruiting Expedition.
He was transferred from the Officers' Reserve Corps to the regular army with the rank of Major in October about a week before his death.