Robert S. Beightler

Robert Sprague Beightler
Born	(1892-03-21)March 21, 1892 Marysville, Ohio
Died	February 12, 1978(1978-02-12) (aged 85) Worthington, Ohio
Buried	Oakdale Cemetery, Marysville, Ohio
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1911–1953
Rank	Major General
Commands held	37th Infantry Division
Battles/wars	Border War Pancho Villa Expedition World War I World War II Operation Cartwheel Bougainville campaign New Georgia campaign Philippines campaign Battle of Manila Battle of Baguio Occupation of Japan Korean War
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Purple Heart Legion of Merit Combat Infantryman Badge
Other work	Engineer, owner of private engineering firm

Robert Sprague Beightler (March 21, 1892 – February 12, 1978) was a United States Army two-star general and Ohio political insider, engineer, and business owner. In the military, he reached the rank of major general, and served as military governor of Okinawa, War Department General Staff, and as commander of the 37th Infantry Division, one of only two National Guard generals to lead their troops through training and into battle during World War II. In political activities in Ohio, he served as head of the Ohio State Highway Department, president of the Army Personnel Board, executive director and board member of the Ohio Turnpike Commission.

Beightler was the only World War II National Guard general to have commanded his division for the length of the war.^[1] In addition to being one of only eleven generals who commanded their divisions for the entire war^[2] and the longest-serving of these eleven, Beightler was appointed to the Regular Army in 1946 as one of only two National Guard major generals to receive such an appointment at that time.^[1]