Raymond H . Fleming Raymond H . Fleming ( July 5 , 1889 — November 23 , 1974 ) was a United States Army Major General who served as Chief of the National Guard Bureau , commander of the 39th Infantry Division ( the ” Delta Division ” ) , and Adjutant General of Louisiana . Early life . Raymond Hartwell Fleming was born in Waxahachie , Texas on July 5 , 1889 . He graduated from San Antonio ’ s Trinity University in 1915 and moved to Louisiana . Pancho Villa Expedition . Fleming joined the Louisiana National Guard in 1916 and served on the Mexican border during the Pancho Villa Expedition , attaining the rank of Sergeant . World War I . In 1917 Fleming received his commission as a Second Lieutenant . Assigned to the 141st Field Artillery Regiment , he served in France throughout the war , advancing to Captain as Commander of Battery D . His unit was mustered out in 1919 , and he returned to Louisiana . Post World War I . After the war Fleming continued his membership in the Louisiana National Guard and took part in its reorganization . He commanded Batteries A and D of the 141st Field Artillery Regiment as a Captain , and continued to advance through the ranks in command and staff positions of increasing responsibility . He graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 1925 and the United States Army War College in 1928 . Fleming also continued his academic studies by undertaking post - graduate work in economics and labor relations at Tulane University . Adjutant General of Louisiana . In 1928 Fleming was appointed Adjutant General of the Louisiana National Guard with the rank of Brigadier General . He continued to serve in this position until 1948 . Seen as an ally of the political organization run by Senator Huey Long and Governor O . K . Allen , in 1934 Fleming deployed National Guardsmen to the offices of election officials in New Orleans when Allen declared martial law during a disputed election between the Long - Allen group and a group headed by Mayor T . Semmes Walmsley . In response , Walmsley deployed hundreds of New Orleans police officers . Fleming was charged with contempt of court for refusing a judge ’ s order to dismiss the troops . The dispute was resolved when the National Guard vacated the election offices ( while remaining in New Orleans ) and the police stood down , and the election proceeded as planned . When Long was assassinated in 1935 , Fleming commanded the honor guard for his funeral . From 1940 to 1946 Fleming also commanded the 55th Cavalry Brigade , a unit of the 23rd Cavalry Division . From 1940 to 1947 Fleming also concurrently served during World War II as the federal Director of Selective Service for Louisiana . Post World War II . In 1946 Fleming was named Commander of the 39th Infantry Division , an assignment he carried out while still serving as Adjutant General . He was promoted to Major General in 1947 . National Guard Bureau . Fleming was appointed Chief of the Army Division at the National Guard Bureau in 1947 . He was the first individual to hold this post , which was created as a result of the founding of the Air National Guard . The Chief of the Army Division and Chief of the Air Division each reported to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau . In 1948 also took on an additional assignment as an Assistant to Lewis B . Hershey , the federal Director of Selective Service . In 1950 Fleming was named acting Chief of the National Guard Bureau , succeeding Kenneth F . Cramer . In 1951 Fleming ’ s nomination was confirmed , and he served as NGB Chief until reaching the federal military ' s mandatory retirement age in 1953 . In 1951 he was succeeded as commander of the 39th Infantry Division by Joseph A . Redding . Return as Adjutant General . In 1952 Fleming was reappointed as Louisiana ’ s Adjutant General , serving until 1956 . He resumed the Adjutant General ’ s post again in 1960 , serving until his 1964 retirement . Awards and decorations . Fleming ’ s awards included the Distinguished Service Medal ( Army ) and Legion of Merit . Retirement and death . In retirement Fleming resided in New Orleans . He died there on November 23 , 1974 and was buried in Waxahachie ’ s Hillcrest Burial Park Cemetery . Legacy . The headquarters building at Jackson Barracks was named Fleming Hall . The building was damaged during Hurricane Katrina , but has since been rehabilitated . It is now used for ceremonies , conferences and other meetings .