[3] In 1926, Futch attended the Battery Officer's Course at United States Army Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

While serving as a captain with the 13th Field Artillery Regiment at Oahu, Hawaii, he saved a life from drowning of Private First Class Alexander J. Kaye of the Service Battery.

With 35th Division, Futch participated in many battles of World War II, including in France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

For his service with the 35th Infantry Division during the war, Futch was awarded with the Legion of Merit, four Bronze Star Medals and multiple foreign decorations.

On September 25, 1945, Futch was appointed the commanding general of Fort Bragg in North Carolina and stayed in this capacity until the beginning of January 1946.

Futch then served as executive officer of the Civilian Components at Fort McPherson, Georgia, before he was transferred to The Citadel, where he was a professor of Military Science & Tactics until 1950.