He enlisted as a Private in the Air Corps. He had four years of high school, was Single without dependents, and his civilian occupation was listed as: "Actors and actresses."

His Military Occupational Specialty was 2750 - Aerial Engineer. In July 1945, he returned to the US; he had an Advanced Service Rating (ASR) of 96 Points. Ernest is buried in Palo Verde Cemetery, Blythe, California; the headstone inscription reads:

T Sgt US AIR FORCE

World War II Korea