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Denehie sold the wreckage, quit aviation and joined the sales staff of Earle C. Anthony, Inc., automobile distributors. One of his fellow employees, H. A. Sperl, had previously learned to fly at the Christofferson flying school, so a close relationship soon developed between them.

Denehie and Sperl remained on the Anthony auto sales ataff until 1916, at which time they bought an OX-powered, Gage tractor biplane and left on a barnstorming tour throughout the Southwest, flying exhibitions and carrying passengers.

At the start of World War I, Denehie joined the United States Army Air Service and was assigned as aviation technician to Squadron "K" at Kelly Field, Texas. He remained at Kelly Field until he was discharged in 1919, after the war.

Following this, he returned to Los Angeles and resumed barnstorming operations with Sperl until 1920 when they sold their plane and split up. Denehie then returned to the Anthony automobile agency, becoming sales manager of their commercial vehicle department, selling Reo and Packard trucks.

About this time, renowned race car driver Ralph DePalma was on the West Coast with his "Packard Special" competing in local racing events and Denehie served as a part-time member of his pit crew. DePalma also had his twenty year old nephew, Peter DePaolo, serving with him on his staff of assistants.

In 1922 the Reo Motor Car Company withdrew the West Coast sales franchise with the Anthony Company and established their own factory branch, headed by B. C. Foy, who assigned Denehie to the new Reo sales staff, where he remained until 1927. During this period, Denehie also assisted DePalma's nephew, Peter DePaolo, in his racing program. [[Crossed out]] With special permission from Mr. Foy,

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