He served as a first lieutenant in chemical warfare service of the United States Army during World War I.

[1] Bastian received a recess appointment from President Harry S. Truman on October 23, 1950, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia vacated by Judge Jennings Bailey.

His service terminated on December 15, 1954, due to his elevation to the District of Columbia Circuit.

[1] Bastian received a recess appointment from President Dwight D. Eisenhower on September 20, 1954, to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit vacated by Judge Bennett Champ Clark.

[1] Bastian served as president of the board of directors of the National Conference on Citizenship in 1960.