 After the start of World War I, Viren was promoted to admiral on 15 February 1915.In 1916, he was awarded the Order of St George, 3rd degree, for personal bravery in preventing the explosion of a powder magazine in the Petrovsky Fort at Kronstadt.However, after the start of March 1917 February Revolution, Viren was one of several senior officers bayoneted in Anchor Square, Kronstadt, by pro-Bolshevik sailors.