William H . Abendroth William H . Abendroth ( December 24 , 1895 – September 3 , 1970 ) was a United States Army Major General who served as Director of the Army National Guard and Commander of the District of Columbia National Guard . Early life . William Henry Abendroth , Jr . , nicknamed Harry , was the son of a career soldier who served in the American Indian Wars and the Spanish - American War before retiring as a First Sergeant and becoming an instructor in military studies at the University of Idaho . The younger Abendroth was born in Fort Meade , South Dakota , on December 24 , 1895 . He enlisted in the Idaho National Guard in 1913 , and served as a member of Company H , 2nd Idaho Infantry Regiment on the Mexican border during the Pancho Villa Expedition . Abendroth served with the Army in France during World War I , first in an Infantry company , and later with an Engineer unit . He achieved the rank of First Sergeant by the end of the war , and was discharged in 1919 . Resumption of military service . In 1927 Abendroth rejoined the Idaho National Guard and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Cavalry . He quickly advanced through command and staff positions of increasing rank and responsibility , including serving as military aide to the Governor of Idaho with the rank of Captain . He commanded the 116th Cavalry Regiment as a Colonel in the years immediately preceding the Second World War . Abendroth also pursued a civilian career in state government , including appointments as a Purchasing Agent and Claims Examiner in the Purchasing Department , Budget Director for the State of Idaho , Disbursing Officer in the Highway Department , and Rural Electrification Manager for Idaho Power . In 1938 Abendroth was tried on embezzlement charges , accused of taking money while working as a Purchasing Agent for the state . He was charged with three counts , one each for $ 50 , $ 250 and $ 50 . He received a directed verdict of acquittal from the judge after the primary witness against Abendroth impeached himself under direct examination by the prosecutor . World War II . Abendroth was called to active duty for World War II . Assigned to the Headquarters of the IX Corps , he was posted as Commandant of the Officer Candidate School , Provost Marshal for the corps area and Commandant of the corps headquarters , serving in Hawaii , the Philippines , and Japan . Post World War II . Upon returning to the United States Abendroth became a student at the United States Army Command and General Staff College , from which he graduated in 1946 . In April , 1946 he was appointed Adjutant General of the Idaho Military Department and federal Director of Selective Service for Idaho , receiving promotion to Brigadier General . He served until December , when a change in the governorship led to his resignation , enabling the new governor to appoint his own candidate . As a Colonel , Abendroth was then called to active duty , serving in the National Guard and Reserve Policy Office for the Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1947 to 1949 . In 1949 Abendroth was appointed Commander of the District of Columbia National Guard . He received promotion to Major General and served until retiring in 1967 , when he was succeeded by Charles L . Southward . From 1951 to 1955 Abendroth also served as Chief of the Army Division ( now Director of the Army National Guard ) at the National Guard Bureau . Retirement and death . In retirement , Abendroth resided in Falls Church , Virginia . He died at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington , D . C . on September 3 , 1970 . Abendroth is buried at Arlington National Cemetery , Section 5 , Lot 21 . Awards and decorations . Abendroth received the Army Distinguished Service Medal at his retirement . He was also a recipient of the Legion of Merit for his service in World War II . Legacy . The Abendroth Trophy is awarded each year to the best Army or Air Force unit of the District of Columbia National Guard during Annual Training .