{{short description|United States Army general}} {{Infobox military person |name= Butler Buchanan Miltonberger |birth_date= August 31, 1897 |death_date= {{death date and age|1977|3|23|1897|8|31}} |birth_place= North Platte, Nebraska, U.S. |death_place= North Platte, Nebraska, U.S. |burial_place= Fort McPherson National Cemetery |burial_label= Place of burial |image= Butler B. Miltonberger.jpg |caption= Miltonberger as a major general. |nickname= Butts<ref>Nebraska State Historical Society, Butler B. Miltonberger Papers, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070310000409/http://www.nebraskahistory.org/lib-arch/research/manuscripts/family/miltonberger.htm Biography, Butler B. Miltonberger]}}, accessed April 22, 2013</ref> |allegiance={{flag|United States of America}} |branch=25px United States Army |service_years=1916–1919 <br> 1923–1947 |rank=30px Major general |commands=134th Infantry Regiment<br>Chief of the National Guard Bureau |unit=Nebraska Army National Guard |battles= {{plainlist| * '''Mexican Border Campaign''' * '''World War I''' {{flatlist| * Meuse-Argonne }} * '''World War II''' {{flatlist| * Normandy * Northern France * Rhineland * Ardennes-Alsace * Central Europe }}}} |awards=Distinguished Service Medal<br>Silver Star<br/>Legion of Merit (2)<br/>Bronze Star Medal (3) |other_work= }}
'''Butler Buchanan Miltonberger''' (August 31, 1897 – March 23, 1977) was a United States Army major general who served as the first post-World War II Chief of the National Guard Bureau from 1946 to 1947.
==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 5th Infantry Regiment, 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.<ref>Nebraska State Historical Society, Butler B. Miltonberger Papers, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070310000409/http://www.nebraskahistory.org/lib-arch/research/manuscripts/family/miltonberger.htm Biography, Butler B. Miltonberger]}}, accessed April 22, 2013</ref><ref>Official National Guard Register for 1924, p. 439</ref> After his unit returned to Nebraska, 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. The 5th Nebraska was redesignated the 134th Infantry Regiment, part of the 34th Division. The 34th Division was stripped of personnel repeatedly while training at Camp Cody, New Mexico, in order to provide replacements for other American Expeditionary Force units fighting in France, but Miltonberger sailed overseas with his unit in October 1918; it was subsequently broken up to provide replacements upon arrival in France, and Miltonberger was assigned to the 4th Division immediately before the armistice. He attained the rank of first sergeant before being honorably discharged on August 6, 1919.<ref>Nebraska Studies.org, Nebraskans on the Front Lines, 1925-1949, [https://archive.today/20130704090447/http://www.nebraskastudies.org/0800/frameset_reset.html?http://www.nebraskastudies.org/0800/stories/0801_0112.html Profile, Burler B. Miltonberger], accessed April 22, 2013</ref><ref>Official National Guard Register for 1924, p. 439</ref>
==Post World War I==
On May 12, 1923, Miltonberger reenlisted in the Nebraska National Guard in North Platte and was commissioned a first lieutenant in Company D, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Division. He was promoted to captain on November 10, 1923, as commander of Company D.<ref>Nebraska Adjutant -General, [https://books.google.com/books?ei=Z0R1UaTtKvGn0AHYv4DoCw&id=n1EMAQAAIAAJ&dq=miltonberger+company+d+134th+infantry&q=miltonberger+ Biennial Report], 1927, page 48</ref> 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 by Nebraska Governor Robert Leroy Cochran and sent to Omaha in response to civil disturbances stemming from an ongoing dispute between labor and management of the Omaha Traction Company.<ref>Butler B. Miltonberger, James A. Huston, [http://coulthart.com/134/134%20history.txt 134th Infantry Regiment: Combat History of World War II] 1946, Chapter 1</ref> In January 1939, he single-handedly captured Willard Brucks, an escaped killer from Ohio who had broken into the Omaha armory to seize weapons.<ref>Associated Press, St. Petersburg Times, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZhNPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UE0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4086,1225437&dq=brucks+murder+omaha&hl=en Insane Convict Seized During Armory Battle], January 9, 1939</ref> Miltonberger was promoted to lieutenant colonel on October 7, 1940.
In the peacetime period between World Wars I and II, his units usually trained one night a week at their local armories and for two weeks every summer at Camp Ashland, Nebraska. Large U.S. Army maneuvers in which the 35th Division took part were held at Camp Funston, Fort Riley, Kansas, in 1937, and at Camp Ripley, Minnesota, in 1940. On December 23, 1940, the 35th Division was mobilized for one year of federal service by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and took part in the Louisiana Maneuvers in August and September 1941.
In his civilian capacity, Miltonberger worked in North Platte as a postman, and was also employed in road and bridge surveying and construction.<ref>Nebraska Press Association, 900 Famous Nebraskans, [http://www.nebpress.com/700/miltonberger.php Entry for Butler B. Miltonberger] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725123414/http://www.nebpress.com/700/miltonberger.php |date=2008-07-25 }}, accessed April 22, 2013</ref>
==World War II==
Miltonberger was made acting commander of the 134th Infantry in May 1941, after the relief of Colonel Clyde E. McCormick, its previous commander. Immediately before U.S. entry into World War II, Miltonberger was promoted to full colonel as commander of the regiment on November 10, 1941. In 1944 and 1945, led his regiment throughout France, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, including at Saint-Lô, across the Vire River and through Mortain, the liberation of Nancy, the Moselle River, Morhange, Sarreguemines, and at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge.<ref>Albert Love Enterprises, [https://books.google.com/books?id=oKDvAAAAMAAJ&q=butler+miltonberger+commander+134th+infantry+regiment Presenting the 35th Infantry Division in World War II, 1941-1945], 1946</ref><ref>Matthew Hansen, Omaha World-Herald, [http://www.omaha.com/article/20090703/NEWS01/707039930 The WWII Battle of St. Lo], July 3, 2009</ref>
In February 1945, Miltonberger was promoted to brigadier general and assigned as assistant division commander of Major General Paul W. Baade's 35th Infantry Division, replacing Brigadier General Edmund B. Sebree.<ref>Dwight David Eisenhower, [https://books.google.com/books?ei=6kZ1UfGlKNTh0AH-oIDIDw&id=PwKrAAAAIAAJ&dq=butler+miltonberger+assistant+division+commander+35th+infantry&q=butler+miltonberger The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower: The War Years], Volume IV, 1970, page 2500</ref> By the end of the war in Europe, the 35th Infantry Division reached the Elbe River in Germany. In November 1945, he returned to the United States and remained on active duty at the War Department.
==Chief of National Guard Bureau== In January 1946, President Harry S. Truman, a fellow veteran of the 35th Infantry Division, nominated Miltonberger to be the first post-war Chief of the National Guard Bureau as a major general.<ref>Associated Press, Miami News, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TowyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GecFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3681,426077&dq=butler+miltonberger&hl=en Nebraskan Named Guard Bureau Head], January 16, 1946</ref> As Chief, Miltonberger worked to reorganize the National Guard following its demobilization after World War II, including the formation of the new Air National Guard.<ref>Associated Press, Reading Eagle, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VIktAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_ZwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4050,955296&dq=butler+miltonberger&hl=en 93 National Guard Units Meet U.S. Test: Recognition Extended for Reorganization], October 21, 1946</ref> Miltonberger became ill and entered the hospital in February 1947, and he was retired from active duty military service in September for disability after being diagnosed with chronic sarcoidosis of the lungs.<ref>National Guard Bureau, [https://books.google.com/books?id=VJHfAAAAMAAJ&q=miltonberger+%22national+guard%22+retired+1947 Annual report], 1947, page 60</ref><ref>"Hospital Check-Up for Miltonberger," Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, NE), 5 February 1947</ref><ref>"Gen. Miltonberger Is Out of Hospital," Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, NE), 19 February 1947</ref><ref>"Miltonberger Leaving Army Due to Illness," Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, NE), 26 June 1947</ref>
==Later career== After his retirement, Miltonberger returned to Nebraska. He resided in North Platte and Lincoln, and was employed by the Nebraska State Engineer.<ref>Tom Mooney, nebraska State Historical Society, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120713022929/http://blog.nebraskahistory.org/?p=4928 The Military Career of Butler B. Miltonberger]}}, August 5, 2011</ref>
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.<ref>Charles Joseph Gross, [https://books.google.com/books?id=hALj7fhvXyMC&dq=miltonberger+board+%22national+guard%22&pg=PA49 Prelude to the Total Force: Air National Guard, 1943-1969], 1984, page 49</ref><ref>Associated Press, Palm Beach Post, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XPwsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5swFAAAAIBAJ&pg=980,6364990&dq=butler+miltonberger&hl=en New Board Named to Reorganize National Guard], February 26, 1950</ref>
==Death and burial==
Miltonberger, who had been ill with emphysema, 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.<ref>New York Times, [https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0613FB385D167493C7AB1788D85F438785F9 Butler B. Miltonberger, Ex-National Guard Chief], March 25, 1977</ref> 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.<ref>U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, [http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/index.html Nationwide Gravesite Locator] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601190609/https://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/index.html |date=2019-06-01 }}, entry for Butler B. Miltonberger, accessed April 22, 2013</ref>
==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.
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |colspan="4"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Combat Infantry Badge.svg|width=256|alt=}} |- |colspan="4"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Silver Star Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} {{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=oak|ribbon=Bronze Star Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Mexican Border Service Medal ribbon.svg|alt=}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=World War I Victory Medal ribbon.svg|alt=}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army of Occupation of Germany ribbon.svg|alt=}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=American Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=4|type=service-star|other_device=bss|ribbon=European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army of Occupation ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Legion Honneur Chevalier ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Croix de guerre 1939-1945 with palm (France) - ribbon bar.png|width=106|alt=}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Order of Orange-Nassau ribbon - Officer.svg|width=106|alt=}} |}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |- |colspan="19"|Combat Infantryman Badge |- |colspan="6"|Army Distinguished Service Medal |colspan="6"|Silver Star |colspan="6"|Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster |- |colspan="4"|Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters |colspan="4"|Mexican Border Service Medal |colspan="4"|World War I Victory Medal w/ Battle Clasp |colspan="4"|Army of Occupation of Germany Medal |- |colspan="4"|American Defense Service Medal |colspan="4"|American Campaign Medal |colspan="4"|European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with five campaign stars |colspan="4"|World War II Victory Medal |- |colspan="4"|Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp |colspan="4"|Chevalier of the Legion of Honour |colspan="4"|French Croix de guerre 1939–1945 with Palm |colspan="4"|Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau with Swords |- |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070310000409/http://www.nebraskahistory.org/lib-arch/research/manuscripts/family/miltonberger.htm Butler B. Miltonberger papers]}} at the Nebraska State Historical Society *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080515205548/http://www.nebraskahistory.org/lib-arch/research/public/state_finding_aids/military_dept.pdf Nebraska Military Department records]}} at the Nebraska State Historical Society *Miltonberger, Butler B. and Huston, James, ''134th Infantry History''. Gering, Nebraska: Currior Press, 1950. *"'All Hell' Couldn't Stop Miltonberger", [http://www.nptelegraph.com/ ''North Platte Telegraph-Bulletin''], September 17, 1973. *[http://www.interment.net/data/us/ne/lincoln/ftmcphnat/ft_mcph_mina.htm Fort McPherson National Cemetery] *[https://generals.dk/general/Miltonberger/Butler_Buchanan/USA.html Generals of World War II]
{{Authority control}}
{{S-start}} {{s-mil}} {{succession box | title= Chief of the National Guard Bureau | before= John F. Williams | years= 1946−1947 | after= Kenneth F. Cramer }} {{S-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Miltonberger, Butler B.}} Category:1897 births Category:1977 deaths Category:Military personnel from Nebraska Category:United States Army personnel of World War I Category:United States Army generals Category:National Guard (United States) generals Category:People from North Platte, Nebraska Category:Burials at Fort McPherson National Cemetery Category:Chiefs of the National Guard Bureau Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army) Category:Recipients of the Silver Star Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit Category:American recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 (France) Category:Officers of the Order of Orange-Nassau Category:United States Army generals of World War II