Charles A . Ott , Jr . Charles A . Ott , Jr . ( September 26 , 1920 – December 9 , 2006 ) was a United States Army Major General who served as Commander of the 40th Armored Division and 40th Infantry Division , and Director of the Army National Guard . Early life . Charles Adam Ott , Jr . was born on September 26 , 1920 in Santa Barbara , California . He graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics in 1941 and was the Honor Graduate of his Reserve Officer Training Corps class . World War II . Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Artillery , Ott completed the Artillery Officer Basic Course in 1941 , the Artillery Officer Advanced Course in 1942 , and the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 1943 . Ott served in Europe during the war , first with the 76th Field Artillery Battalion , including assignments as Battery Commander , and Battalion Operations and Training Officer ( S3 ) , Executive Officer and Commander . He later served as Operations and Training Officer ( S3 ) for the 18th Field Artillery Group , and carried out an assignment in California on the staff of the Sixth United States Army . He was a Lieutenant Colonel when he was discharged in 1946 . Post World War II . After the war Ott returned to Santa Barbara and pursued a business career as an executive of his family ’ s business , Ott Hardware , and he became the company ’ s President upon the retirement of his father . He also served as President of Sterling Supply Corporation and Channel Properties , Incorporated . Ott continued his military career with the California Army National Guard as Commander of the 981st Field Artillery Battalion . Korean War . In 1950 Ott was called to federal service with the 40th Infantry Division for the Korean War . He served as Commander of the Division Artillery , and received promotion to Colonel . Post Korean War . In 1952 Ott was promoted to Brigadier General as Commander of the 40th Armored Division Artillery . Ott was assigned as Assistant Division Commander of the 40th Armored Division in 1958 . In 1960 he was promoted to Major General and assigned as Commander of the 40th Armored Division . In August , 1965 , Ott commanded the division when it was activated in response to the Watts Riots . Ott also served as Commander of the California National Guard ’ s Southern Emergency Operations Center and Commander of the 79th Rear Area Operations Support Center . In 1969 he commanded National Guard members activated in response to flooding in Santa Barbara County and other areas of Southern California . In 1971 he was named Deputy Commander of the California National Guard , and in January , 1974 he received appointment as Commander of the 40th Infantry Division . National Guard Bureau . In 1974 Ott was appointed Director of the Army National Guard , and he served until his 1978 retirement . Awards and decorations . Ott ’ s awards included the Army Distinguished Service Medal , Legion of Merit , Bronze Star Medal , Air Medal , and Army Commendation Medal . Later career . After retiring from the military Ott served as Director of the Arizona Division of Emergency Services . Death and burial . Ott died at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital on December 9 , 2006 . He is buried at Santa Barbara Cemetery , Summit Lot 683 , Grave 03 . External resources . Charles A . Ott , Jr . at Santa Barbara High School Alumni Association