North Platte's own Maj. Gen. Butler B. Miltonberger, a national hero, will be remembered with other war veterans with a brick in the Walk of Honor at the 20th Century Veterans' Memorial.

The purchase of a brick in his name comes just in time for Memorial Day.

Don Craig, president of the Mid-Nebraska Veterans' Memorial Association, feels Miltonberger's addition is an important one.

"Gen. Miltonberger was a great friend to all the soldiers of Nebraska," Craig said. "My brother and I both served under him during World War II and then my brother served as his executive officer after he took charge of the National Gaurd. We're proud to have known him. He was a great soldier and a wonderful asset to North Platte. He deserves to be remembered along with all the other famous people from this town."

As a colonel, Miltonberger led the 134th Infantry Regiment from their initial battle at St. Lo, through the Battle of the Bulge to the Elbe River.

He instilled a high level of confidence in his soldiers and was responsible for instilling a "can-do" attitude in the regiment that developed into a unique esprit de corps that was defined by military leaders as "a spirit of devotion and enthusiasm among members of a group for one another, their group and its purposes." The regiment operated at a high level despite suffering heavy casualties.

Miltonberger was hand-picked by President Harry Truman to rebuild the National Guard after the war. Miltonberger was recommended for the post by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. Eisenhower had great respect for Miltonberger and selected him as one of the few officers to accompany him on a victory tour of the United States when World War II ended.

Miltonberger became the first postwar National Guard bureau chief on Feb. 1 1946. His leadership was a driving force behind the National Guard's rapid reorganization.

Miltonberger died in 1976. He is buried at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell.

Miltonberger's brick was purchased by his daughter, Jane Miltonberger Rollins, now of North Ridge, Calif.

"He was a good soldier. The Army was his life. He thought a great deal of his men and they all loved him," she said. "Dad did so much for our country, I just had to do this for him."