Charles S. Kilburn
U.S. Army brigadier general
Charles S. Kilburn (January 2, 1895 – December 28, 1978) was a career officer in the United States Army who attained the rank of brigadier general and was most notable for his World War II command of the 11th Armored Division from 1944 to 1945.
Early life
Charles Solomon Kilburn was born in Silver City, New Mexico on January 2, 1895, the son of John Franklin Kilburn and Harriet M. (Randall) Kilburn. He was raised and educated in El Paso, Texas, where his parents operated a ranch. He attended El Paso High School, from which he graduated in 1913, and he was president of his senior class. After graduation, Kilburn competed for an appointment from William Robert Smith to the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York. Kilburn obtained the appointment and attended West Point from 1913 to 1917. He graduated in April 1917 ranked 92nd of 139 and received his commission as a second lieutenant of Cavalry. Because of his ranching background, during his West Point career his classmates nicknamed him "Rattlesnake Pete", the nickname of Peter Gruber, a Rochester, New York folk figure who operated a snake-themed museum and saloon in the early 1900s.
Early military career
Kilburn was initially assigned to the 17th Cavalry Regiment and posted to Camp Harry J. Jones in Douglas, Arizona, where he took part in defense of the Mexico–United States border during the Mexican Border War. In May he was promoted to first lieutenant.
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