Although Cortès was a pacifist, when war came close to his native village he was compelled to enlist in a French Infantry Regiment at the age of 32. Sent to the front lines, Cortès was wounded by a bayonet, evacuated to a military hospital, and awarded the Croix de Guerre.
Cortès's commitment to non-violence was tested when conflict loomed over his native village, prompting him to join a French infantry regiment at 32. He was subsequently sent into combat, where he suffered a bayonet wound, received medical attention, and earned the Croix de Guerre award.