Arthur enlisted in the United States Army on December 3, 1917 at Fort Stewart, Georgia. He was assigned to Company A, 38th Infantry Division and trained at Camp Screvens and Camp Greene. His overseas tour of duty began March 25, 1918. Arthur was wounded at Fismes on the Vesle River on August 9, 1918 and died at Base Hospital No. 68, Mars-sur-Allier, Nievre, France, on August 25, 1918.