Butler B. Miltonberger

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 1916 and enlisted in the Nebraska Army National Guard. Miltonberger was mobilized during the Mexican Border Campaign.[2]

During World War I, Miltonberger fought in the Argonne region with the 4th Infantry Division, and attained the rank of First Sergeant.[3]

In early 1923 Miltonberger was commissioned a First Lieutenant. He was quickly promoted to Captain as commander of Company D, 134th Infantry Regiment. The regiment trained in Nebraska and at out of state locations including Fort Ord and Camp San Luis Obispo in California, Camp Butler in North Carolina, and Camp Rucker in Alabama.[4]

As a civilian, he worked in North Platte as a postman, and was also employed in road and bridge surveying and construction.[5]

Miltonberger was promoted to Major in 1933. In 1935 his unit was mobilized in response to an ongoing dispute between labor and management at the Omaha Traction Company and a flood on the Republican River.[6]

In 1939 he single-handedly captured Willard Brucks, an escaped killer from Ohio who had broken into the Omaha armory to seize weapons.[7]

Miltonberger was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1940.

At the beginning of the World War II, Miltonberger was promoted to colonel as commander of the 134th Infantry Regiment. He led his regiment throughout France, including Morhange, Vire, Alsace, Saint-Lô, Geilenkirchen, Bastogne, Mortain, Nancy, Sarreguemines, and the Elbe River.[8][9]

In February, 1945 Miltonberger was promoted to brigadier general and assigned as assistant division commander of the 35th Division.[10] In November, 1945 he returned to the United States and remained on active duty at the War Department.

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.[11] As Chief Miltonberger worked to reorganize the National Guard following its mobilization for World War II, including the formation of the Air National Guard.[12] Miltonberger became ill and entered the hospital in December 1946, and later retired from active duty military service in September 1947 because of poor health.[13][14]

After his retirement, Miltonberger returned to Nebraska. He resided in North Platte and Lincoln, and was employed by the Nebraska State Engineer.[15]

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.[16][17]

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.[18] 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.[19]

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

• Butler B. Miltonberger papers at the Nebraska State Historical Society
• 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", North Platte Telegraph-Bulletin, September 17, 1973.
• Fort McPherson National Cemetery
• Butler B. MIltonberger at Find A Grave, accessed April 22, 2013