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 . Early years . Butler Buchanan Miltonberger was born in North Platte , Nebraska , on August 31 , 1897 . 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 . World War I . During World War I , Miltonberger fought in the Argonne region with the 4th Infantry Division , and attained the rank of First Sergeant . Post World War I . 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 . As a civilian , he worked in North Platte as a postman , and was also employed in road and bridge surveying and construction . 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 . In 1939 he single - handedly captured Willard Brucks , an escaped killer from Ohio who had broken into the Omaha armory to seize weapons . Miltonberger was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1940 . World War II . 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 . In February , 1945 Miltonberger was promoted to Brigadier General and assigned as Assistant Division Commander of the 35th Division . 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 . As Chief Miltonberger worked to reorganize the National Guard following its mobilization for World War II , including the formation of the Air National Guard . Miltonberger retired from the military in August , 1947 because of poor health . Later career . After his retirement , Miltonberger returned to Nebraska . He resided in North Platte and Lincoln , and was employed by the Nebraska State Engineer . 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 . Death and burial . Miltonberger died in North Platte on March 23 , 1977 . He is buried at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell , Nebraska . Awards and decorations . Miltonberger 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 .