Butler B. Miltonberger

Butler Buchanan Miltonberger (August 31, 1897 – March 23, 1977) was a United States Army major general who served as Chief of the National Guard Bureau.

Butler Buchanan Miltonberger
Miltonberger as a Major General.
Nickname(s)Butts[1]
BornAugust 31, 1897
North Platte, Nebraska
DiedMarch 23, 1977(1977-03-23) (aged 79)
North Platte, Nebraska
Place of burial
Fort McPherson National Cemetery
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1916 - 1947
Rank Major general
UnitNebraska Army National Guard
Commands held134th Infantry Regiment
Chief of the National Guard Bureau
Battles/warsMexican Border Campaign
World War I
World War II
AwardsDistinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Legion of Merit (2)
Bronze Star Medal (3)

Early years

Butler Buchanan Miltonberger was born in North Platte, Nebraska, on August 31, 1897, the son of Ira L. Miltonberger and Jennie (Buchanan) Miltonberger. He graduated from North Platte High School in spring 1916 and enlisted in Company E of the 4th Infantry,Nebraska National Guard on June 25, 1916. He was mustered into federal service during the Mexican Border Campaign from July 2, 1916, to February 21, 1917, becoming a sergeant.[2][3] He continued in service with the Nebraska National Guard.

World War I

On July 15, 1917, Miltonberger was mustered into service with his unit, which was later drafted into federal service for World War I on August 5, 1917. He fought in the Argonne region with the 4th Infantry Division, and attained the rank of first sergeant before being honorably discharged on August 6, 1919.[4][5]

Post World War I

On May 12, 1923, Miltonberger reenlisted in the Nebraska National Guard and was commissioned a first lieutenant. He was promoted to captain on November 10, 1923 as commander of Company D, 134th Infantry Regiment.[6] Miltonberger was promoted to major and commander of the 1st Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment on January 14, 1933. In June 1935, his unit was mobilized and sent to Omaha, Nebraska in response to civil disturbances stemming from an ongoing dispute between labor and management at the Omaha Traction Company.[7] In 1939, he single-handedly captured Willard Brucks, an escaped killer from Ohio who had broken into the Omaha armory to seize weapons.[8] Miltonberger was promoted to lieutenant colonel On October 7, 1940. In peacetime, his unit trained in Nebraska, and at out of state locations like Camp Funston, Kansas and Camp Ripley, Minnesota.

As a civilian, he worked in North Platte as a postman, and was also employed in road and bridge surveying and construction.[9]

World War II

Immediately before U.S. entry into World War II, Miltonberger was promoted to colonel on November 10, 1941, as commander of the 134th Infantry Regiment. He led his regiment throughout France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, including at Saint-Lô, the Vire River, the battle of Mortain, Nancy, Morhange, Bastogne, Sarreguemines, and at the Elbe River.[10][11]

In February, 1945 Miltonberger was promoted to brigadier general and assigned as assistant division commander (ADC) of Major General Paul W. Baade's 35th Division, replacing Brigadier General Edmund Sebree.[12] In November, 1945 he returned to the United States and remained on active duty at the War Department.

Chief of National Guard Bureau

In 1946 President Harry S. Truman, a fellow veteran of the 35th Division, nominated Miltonberger to be Chief of the National Guard Bureau as a major general.[13] As Chief, Miltonberger worked to reorganize the National Guard following its mobilization for World War II, including the formation of the Air National Guard.[14] Miltonberger became ill and entered the hospital in December 1946, and he retired from active duty military service in September 1947 because of continued poor health.[15][16]

Later career

After his retirement, Miltonberger returned to Nebraska. He resided in North Platte and Lincoln, and was employed by the Nebraska State Engineer.[17]

In 1950 he became Chairman of the "Miltonberger Board", which consisted of current and former National Guard officers and was empowered to review the National Guard's organizational structure, internal policies and operational procedures, and make recommendations for long term improvements.[18][19]

Death and burial

Miltonberger, who had suffered from long-term lung problems, died in North Platte on March 23, 1977 at the age of 79 after suffering complications from surgery to repair a broken hip suffered in a fall.[20] He was survived by his second wife, Caroline, two daughters, Helen and Veatrice, and a son, Butler Jr. He is buried at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, Nebraska.[21]

Awards and decorations

Miltonberger's awards included the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, the French Croix de Guerre, the Netherlands Order of Orange-Nassau, the Luxembourg War Cross and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Combat Infantryman Badge
Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster
Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters Mexican Border Service Medal World War I Victory Medal w/ Battle Clasp Army of Occupation of Germany Medal
American Defense Service Medal American Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with five campaign stars World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp Chevalier of the Legion of Honour French Croix de guerre 1939–1945 with Palm Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau with Swords

References
  1. Nebraska State Historical Society, Butler B. Miltonberger Papers, Biography, Butler B. Miltonberger, accessed April 22, 2013
  2. Nebraska State Historical Society, Butler B. Miltonberger Papers, Biography, Butler B. Miltonberger, accessed April 22, 2013
  3. Official National Guard Register for 1924, p. 439
  4. Nebraska Studies.org, Nebraskans on the Front Lines, 1925-1949, Profile, Burler B. Miltonberger, accessed April 22, 2013
  5. Official National Guard Register for 1924, p. 439
  6. Nebraska Adjutant -General, Biennial Report, 1927, page 48
  7. Butler B. Miltonberger, James A. Huston, 134th Infantry Regiment: Combat History of World War II 1946, Chapter 1
  8. Associated Press, St. Petersburg Times, Insane Convict Seized During Armory Battle, January 9, 1939
  9. Nebraska Press Association, 900 Famous Nebraskans, Entry for Butler B. Miltonberger Archived 2008-07-25 at the Wayback Machine, accessed April 22, 2013
  10. Albert Love Enterprises, Presenting the 35th Infantry Division in World War II, 1941-1945, 1946
  11. Matthew Hansen, Omaha World-Herald, The WWII Battle of St. Lo, July 3, 2009
  12. Dwight David Eisenhower, The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower: The War Years, Volume IV, 1970, page 2500
  13. Associated Press, Miami News, Nebraskan Named Guard Bureau Head, January 16, 1946
  14. Associated Press, Reading Eagle, 93 National Guard Units Meet U.S. Test: Recognition Extended for Reorganization, October 21, 1946
  15. National Guard Bureau, Annual report, 1947, page 60
  16. New York Times, Guard Losing Gen. Miltonberger, June 27, 1947
  17. Tom Mooney, nebraska State Historical Society, The Military Career of Butler B. Miltonberger Archived 2012-07-13 at the Wayback Machine, August 5, 2011
  18. Charles Joseph Gross, Prelude to the Total Force: Air National Guard, 1943-1969, 1984, page 49
  19. Associated Press, Palm Beach Post, New Board Named to Reorganize National Guard, February 26, 1950
  20. New York Times, Butler B. Miltonberger, Ex-National Guard Chief, March 25, 1977
  21. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Nationwide Gravesite Locator, entry for Butler B. Miltonberger, accessed April 22, 2013
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