Herold J. Weiler (April 12, 1886 – November 18, 1945) was a United States Army officer who served as acting Chief of the National Guard Bureau.
Early life Herold James Weiler was born in Tioga, Illinois on April 12, 1886.Sons of the American Revolution Application, John E. Weiler, Jr., 1956, page 2 He was raised and educated in Corsicana, Texas,National Archives and Records Administration, 1900 United States Federal Census, entry for Herold J. Weiler and enlisted in the Texas National Guard's, Troop D, 1st Cavalry Squadron in 1907.Army and Navy Journal, Incorporated, Army and Navy Journal], Volume 73, 1935, page 129
Weiler rose through the ranks and was a First Sergeant when he was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in 1912.Galveston Daily News, Military Examining Board, February 2, 1912Texas Adjutant General, Annual Report, 1915, page 174
In his civilian career Weiler was the owner and operator of Weiler Manufacturing, makers of heavy duty overalls, pants, and other outdoor wear for oil field and oil rig workers.U.S. Patent Office, Official Gazette, 1912, page 1305 In the 1920s he also worked in other management positions within the oil industry.U.S City Directory, Wichita Falls, Texas, 1922, page 308
Weiler served on the Mexican border during the Pancho Villa Expedition in 1916 as a member of Troop D.National Archives and Records Administration, U.S., Returns from Military Posts, 1806–1916, Laredo District, July, 1916, entry for Harold J. Weiler
World War I During World War I Weiler served in France as a member of the 131st Field Artillery Regiment, a unit of the 36th Infantry Division.Army and Navy Journal, Incorporated, Army and Navy Journal, Volume 73, 1935, page 129
Post World War I After World War I, Weiler continued his military service, including command of 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery as a Major.U.S. Army, Official National Guard Register, 1925, page 889
Weiler was a Lieutenant Colonel when he graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 1929.U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Annual Report, 1929, page 14
National Guard Bureau In the early 1930s, Weiler was assigned to full-time National Guard duty with the Militia Bureau (now National Guard Bureau), serving as Chief of the Personnel Division.U.S. Civil Service Commission, Official Register of the United States,1936, page 57
Weiler was acting Chief of the Militia Bureau (now Chief of the National Guard Bureau) from December, 1935 to January, 1936.Army and Navy Journal, Incorporated, Army and Navy Journal, Volume 73, 1935, page 294Army and Navy Journal, Incorporated, Army and Navy Journal, Volume 74, Issues 1–26, 1936, page 472
Return to Texas In 1935, Weiler returned to Texas as commander of the 131st Field Artillery RegimentTexas National Guard, Texas National Guard, 1940 Historical and Pictorial Review, 131st Field Artillery Regiment, 1940Texas Adjutant General, Annual Report, 1935, page 47 and U.S. Property and Disbursing Officer for Texas.Corpus Christi Times, Letters are Sent to Members of Local Draft Boards, September 17, 1940U.S. Government Printing Office, Official National Guard Register, 1940, page 1241
Weiler graduated from Washington College of Law in 1936 and passed the bar in Texas and Washington, D.C.Washington College of Law, Yearbook, 1936Sigma Nu Phi fraternity, The Owl magazine, Volume 19, page 118Texas Bar Association, Annual Meeting Proceedings, Volume 57, 1938, page 207
World War II During World War II Weiler served as procurement officer for the Texas Selective Service Department. He was approaching the mandatory retirement age of 60 and was on terminal leave at the time of his death.Associated Press, San Antonio Light, Draft Post is Given Colonel, October 7, 1940Associated Press, San Antonio Express, Col. Weiler’s Funeral in Corsicana Today, November 20, 1945
Death and burial Weiler died in Refugio, Texas on November 18, 1945.Texas Death Index, 1903–2000, entry for Herald James Weiler He was killed in an accident while hunting, when a motorist drove through a field and crashed his car into Weiler's duck blind. Weiler was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Corsicana.Corsicana Semi-Weekly Light, H.J. Weiler Killed in Unusual Accident Sunday: Funeral Services Scheduled in Corsicana Tuesday Afternoon, November 20, 1945
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