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. 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. 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. Abendroth was called to active duty for World War II.