William Henry Abendroth – Major General, United States Army

Born at Fort Meade, South Dakota, December 24, 1895. He graduated from the Calvary School, 1930, Chemical Warfare School, 1940, Command &General Staff School, 1946. Married: Veda Mae Kirkman, May 4, 1934.

He enlisted in the Idaho National Guard, 1913, and was called to federal service on the Mexican Border, 1916-17. He served in the Infantry and Corps of Engineers during World War I.

He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Cavalry, Idaho National Guard, 1927, and advanced through the grades to Major General in 1952. He was with theInspector General’s Department in 1941, and ws Provost Marshal, Headquarters, IX Corps, Hawaii, Philippines, Japan, and the US during World War II. He was detailed to the Office of the Chief-of-Staff, and appointed resident National Guard member, 1947-49. He was Commanding General, District of Columbia National Guard, 1949-68. He was also Chief, Army Division, National Guard Bureau, 1951-55. He was a purchasing agent and then budget director, State of Idaho, 1932-37. Rural electrification manager, Idaho Power Co, 1938-40.

He was the recipient of the Legion of Merit.

He later made his home in Falls Church, Virginia, where he died onSeptember 3, 1970. Following full military honors he was buried in Section 5 of Arlington National Cemetery.

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From a contemporary press report

Veda Mae Abendroth, 88, who had done volunteer work with the Cherry Blossom Festival, the National Guard Bureau Officers Wives Club in the Military District of Washington and the International Washington Horse Show, died February 11, 1998 at Physicians Memorial Hospital in La Plata after a stroke.

Mrs. Abendroth, a longtime resident of Falls Church, Virginia, was born in Pocatello, Idaho, and came to the Washington area in 1948.

She accompanied her husband, Army Major General William H. Abendroth, to military posts across the country. He was a former commanding general of the D.C. Army National Guard. He died in 1970.

Mrs. Abendroth participated in tennis and the bowling league at Fort McNair.

Survivors include two sons, William H. Abendroth III of White Plains and Wesley W. Abendroth of Carson City, Nev.; two sisters; and three grandchildren.

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ABENDROTH, WILLIAM HENRY 

  • MG AUS
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 12/24/1895
  • DATE OF DEATH: 09/03/1970
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 5  SITE 21
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

ABENDROTH, VEDA M

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 01/09/1910
  • DATE OF DEATH: 02/11/1998
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 5  SITE 21
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Hello My Name is Steven A. Abendroth. I am a grandson of Major General William H. Abendroth and Veda Mae Abendroth.
I am sending a Photo of my grandparents and was wondering if you could add it to the web site I am also sending a photo
of his father First Sergeant William H. Abendroth 1865 – 1937. My father is Lieutenant Colonel William H. Abendroth III and
my brothers name is William H. Abendroth IV. If you find it appropriate you can add our names also.
But please correct my fathers name he is listed as William H. Abendroth III.

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