Butler B. Miltonberger

Butler Buchanan Miltonberger (August 31 1897 - March 23 1977) was a distinguished officer in the United States Army and former Chief of the National Guard Bureau.

Biography

Miltonberger was born at North Platte, Nebraska, on August 31, 1897. He attended North Platte High School, and upon his graduation in 1916, Miltonberger enlisted in the National Guard and was mobilized during the Mexican Border Campaign. During World War I, Miltonberger fought in the Argonne region with the 4th Infantry Division.

In 1923 he was promoted to Captain and commanded Company D of the 134th Infantry Regiment. The Regiment trained at Fort Ord and Camp Luis Obispo in California, Camp Butler in North Carolina, and Camp Rucker in Alabama. During World War II, Miltonberger led his troops overseas as their Regimental Commander. They served eighteen months at Morhange, Vire, Alsace, St. Lo, Geilenkirchen, Bastogne, Mortain, Nancy, Sarreguemines, and the Elbe River.

Promoted to Assistant Commander of the 35th Division in 1945, when the war ended, Miltonberger was assigned to the War Department personnel section. In 1946 he was nominated by President Truman to serve as Chief of the National Guard Bureau. Due to poor health, Miltonberger retired in 1947.

Throughout his military career, Miltonberger was recognized with various medals and awards including the Distinguished Service Medal, the French Croix de Guerre, and the Netherlands Order of Orange-Nassau. After his retirement in 1947, Miltonberger returned to Nebraska. He spent time in North Platte as well as in Lincoln where he worked as a member of the Nebraska State Engineering staff.

Butler B. Miltonberger died at his home outside of North Platte, Nebraska, on March 23, 1977. He is buried at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, Nebraska.

References

* [http://www.nebraskahistory.org/lib-arch/research/manuscripts/family/miltonberger.htm Butler B. Miltonberger papers] at the Nebraska State Historical Society
* [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"] , Sept. 17, 1973.
* [http://www.interment.net/data/us/ne/lincoln/ftmcphnat/ft_mcph_mina.htm Fort McPherson National Cemetery]