After graduation, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Fourth Cavalry.[1]
During the Spanish–American War, Aultman was a part of the Battle of San Juan Hill in 1898, as well as the Siege of Santiago in Cuba. From December 1898 to January 1899, he was aide to General Lloyd Wheaton and later General Joseph Warren Keifer. From 1901 to 1906, Aultman organized, commanded, and instructed the Cuban artillery.[1]
From 1907 to 1911, he was an instructor at the department of languages of the service schools, and from 1914–1915 he was on special mission to Germany. Aultman retired as an instructor and graduated from the Army War College in 1916. In 1917 he wrote a book entitled Military Strength and Resources of the United States.[4] From October 1917 to May 1918, Aultman commanded the Fifth Field Artillery Brigade, First Infantry Division. On April 18, 1918 he was promoted to brigadier general of the National Army and later commanded the 51st Field Artillery Brigade, 26th Division. He was appointed Chief of Artillery, Fifth Corps, in October 1918.[2]
On April 27, 1921, he was again promoted to brigadier general.[2]
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Dwight Edward Aultman, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Chief of Artillery of the 5th Corps in the operations against the enemy in November 1918, by his exceptional skill as an artillerist, General Aultman was largely responsible for the rupture of the enemy's position and the breaking of his resistance.