William R. Buster, 1935
Midway, Kentucky
Deceased

General William R. Buster had a long and distinguished career in service to his country and to the state of Kentucky.

A native of Harrodsburg, Kentucky, General Buster left Centre in 1935 to attend the United States Military Academy.  Upon graduation from the Academy in 1939, he entered the United States Army and served as Battery Commander for the 92nd Armored Field Artillery Battalion in charge of planning and training for the invasion of North Africa during World War II. 

He participated as executive officer in the planning for the invasion of Sicily, and in 1944, as Commander of the 2nd Armored Division, he helped to spearhead the Allied Invasion of Normandy Beach.  During the post-war occupation of Germany, General Buster served on the War Department’s General Staff – a position he held until he retired from the Army in 1947.

General Buster received numerous service medals and decorations in recognition of distinguished service to his country.  Including among the honors are the Legion of Merit, the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star, the American Defense Medal and the Croix De Guerre Avec Palme from the people of France.

Upon his return to Kentucky, General Buster remained active in the Army Reserve and in 1960 was appointed Assistant Adjutant General for the Kentucky National Guard by Governor Bert Combs.  He also served as Commanding General XXIII Corps Artillery until his retirement in 1969.

A resident of Midway, Kentucky, General Buster bred and raised thoroughbred horses.  In 1973, he was named director of the Kentucky Historical Society – a position he held until 1983 – and he then served as Director Emeritus and Executive Advisor to the Society.  He also served on the board of the Kentucky Archives and Records Commission, the Kentucky Historic Records Advisory Board, the Kentucky Oral History Commission, the Editorial Board of the University Press of Kentucky and chaired the Governor’s Mansion Commission and the Midway College Board of Trustees.

General William R. Buster passed away on December 15, 1995.