Promoted to colonel, he commanded the 137th Infantry from October 17, 1921, until February 25, 1941, when he retired from federal active service after being mobilized on December 23, 1940. He returned to Kansas and assumed the responsibility of organizing and training the Kansas State Guard which was created under the Act of Congress to preserve the internal security of the State while the National Guard was in federal service during World War II. He was promoted to brigider general January 1, 1947, while commanding the Kansas State Guard group which consisted of eight battalions. He was a member of the Kansas Military Board from 1921 until his death June 13, 1951.

He proposed and worked untiringly to obtain passage of the law creating the Kansas Armory Board making possible the construction of many armories in Kansas. In addition, he devoted a great amount time and attention to assist veterans of the World War in securing benefits which they were entitled that required considerable knowledge, letter writing, affidavit making and form completition of which the average ex-service man was not familiar. His military career consisted of more than 50 years of service to the State and Nation. His outstanding service and dedication was honored by the commemoration of the Browne Memorial Armory in Horton.