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Kentucky Adjutant Generals

Since the Commonwealth became a state the Governor selects a personal military affairs adviser.

What is the Adjutant General in Kentucky?

The Adjutant General is the Principal Military Advisor to the Governor. Adjutant General is a job title, those appointed to the position hold the rank of colonel and serve as the governor's aide-de-camp, the Governor shall issue a commission to the adjutant general in the grade of major general. The commission shall automatically be vacated when the adjutant general is relieved from duty or at the expiration of the term of the Governor appointing him, traditionally the adjutant generals maintain the rank of honorary colonel when retired.

According to KRS 36.020 the Governor, immediately on induction into office, shall appoint an Adjutant General. The Adjutant General commands soldiers and airmen in the Kentucky Army and Air National Guard (full-time and traditional) and serves as the principal military advisor to the Governor. The Adjutant General is also responsible for all other military or naval matters of the state. The governor is the commander and chief of the Kentucky National Guard and he has the authority to ask the National Guard to carry out state active duty missions such as assisting in snow emergencies or flooding.

Brig. Gen. Haldane (Hal) B. Lamberton, who served more than 35 years in uniform, is the state’s new adjutant general appointed by Governor Andy Beshear. Lamberton was sworn into office shortly after midnight, Dec. 10, 2019.

Commonwealth of Kentucky's First Adjutant-General

Col. Percival Pierce Butler

First Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1793 - 1817. Born: 4 April 1760, Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Assigned to position: Exact date unknown. Ca. 1792-93. Served under Governor(s): Isaac Shelby, James Garrard (2 Terms), Christopher Greenup, Charles Scott, and Isaac Shelby (2nd Term), George Madison, and Gabriel Slaughter. Died: 9 September 1821, Carrollton, Carroll County, Kentucky. Buried: Butler Family Cemetery, Butler State Park, Carrollton, Carroll County, Kentucky.

Biography

Percival Pierce Butler was born on 4 April 1760 in Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, the seventh child of Thomas and Eleanor (Parker) Butler. On 1 September 1777, at age 18, Butler entered military service as a First Lieutenant. Serving with his brothers in the Third Pennsylvania Regiment, he fought at Brandywine and Germantown. He was with General George Washington at Valley Forge and Monmouth and served under General Marquis de Lafayette at Yorktown. Butler then fought with General Anthony Wayne in the South, until 1783. He was transferred to the Second Pennsylvania, on 1 January 1783, and, on 23 September 1783, joined the First Pennsylvania and remained with the unit until the end of the war. He was brevetted a Captain after the war. General Washington once toasted the fighting Butler family at his own table, while surrounded by a large party of officers. "The Butlers, and their five sons," he proclaimed. General Lafayette also paid tribute: "When I wanted a thing well done, I ordered a Butler to do it." Butler also received from Lafayette a sword for his service. Butler moved to Kentucky around 1785, first settling in Jessamine County, at the mouth of Hickman Creek, as a farmer and merchant. He married Mildred Hawkins, on 30 May 1786. In 1796, he settled permanently in Port William (Carrollton), at the confluence of the Ohio and Kentucky rivers. Governor Isaac Shelby appointed Butler as Kentucky's first Adjutant General, with the rank of colonel, and as a military aide. The exact date of the appointment is unknown, though the first act on record took place in March 1793.

While serving as Adjutant General, Butler took part in numerous Indian campaigns prior to and following Kentucky statehood. He organized the Kentucky command for General Anthony Wayne's successful campaign against the Indians in 1794, and he also participated in and served as adjutant general on the staff of Major General Samuel Hopkins, in Hopkins' campaign against the Indians along the Wabash River and the Northwest Territory during the War of 1812.

Percival Butler has the distinction of being Kentucky's longest-serving Adjutant General. During his 24 years in the position, he served under Governors Isaac Shelby (two terms), James Garrard (two terms), Christopher Greenup, Charles Scott, George Madison, and Gabriel Slaughter.

Butler usually performed his duties from his Port William home. When the law was enacted requiring the Adjutant General to reside in Frankfort, he decided to resign the office on 19 September 1817. In addition to his Adjutant General duties, Butler served as Clerk of Gallatin County, having been unanimously elected to the position on 17 May 1799 and serving until his death. Butler died on 9 September 1821, in Carrollton, and was buried in the Butler Family Cemetery, located behind the historic Butler-Turpin House at General Butler State Resort Park.

Oliver Garnett Waggoner / Waggener

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1817 - 1828. Born: 3 March 1788, Culpeper County, Virginia. Assigned to position: 19 September 1817. Served under Governor(s): Gabriel Slaughter, John Adair, and Joseph Desha. Died: ca.1873, Hart County, Kentucky. Buried: Unknown. The 1870 Kentucky Census has him living with his brother John (V – 1801-1873). John also died in 1873.

Preston S. Loughborough

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1828-1829. Born: 1802, Franklin County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 29 January 1828. Served under Governor(s): Joseph Desha. Died: 12 February 1853, Liberty, Clay County, Missouri. Buried: McCue Farm Family Graveyard, Clay County, Missouri. Reburied on the State Mound in the Frankfort Cemetery on 15 Nov 2003.

Peter Dudley

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1829 - 1851. Born: 21 March 1787, Fayette County, Virginia. Assigned to position: 10 December 1829. Served under Governor(s): Thomas Metcalf, John Breathitt, James T. Morehead, James Clark, Charles A. Wicklife, Robert P. Letcher, William Owsley, John J. Crittenden, and John L. Helm. Died: 17 June 1869, Franklin County, Kentucky. Buried: Section H, Lot 330, Grave 1, Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky.

John Marshall Harlan

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1851 - 1859. Born: 1 June 1833, Boyle County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 16 April 1851. Served under Governor(s): John L. Helm, Lazarus W. Powell, and Charles S. Morehead. Died: 14 October 1911, Washington, D.C. Buried: Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington, D.C.

Scott Brown

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1859 - 1861. Born: 1816, Franklin County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 12 September 1859. Served under Governor(s): Beriah Magoffin. Died: 29 December 1891, Franklin County, Kentucky. Buried: Section B, Lot 45, Grave 3, Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky.

John William Finnell

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1861 - 1863. Born: 1821, Clark County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 14 October 1861. Served under Governor(s): Beriah Magoffin and James F. Robinson. Died: 25 January 1888, Helena, Montana. Buried: Linden Grove Cemetery, Covington, Kenton County, Kentucky.

John Boyle

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1863 - 1864. Born: 16 August 1839, Mercer County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 1 September 1863. Served under Governor(s): Thomas E. Bramlette. Died: 13 December 1913, Golconda, Mohave County, Arizona. Buried: Lot 2700, Grave 5, Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri

Daniel Weisiger Lindsey

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1864 - 1867. Born: 4 October 1835, Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 1 August 1864. Served under Governor(s): Thomas E. Bramlette. Died: 4 August 1917, Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. Buried: Section G, Lot 434, Grave 16, Frankfort, Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky

Franklin Lane Wolford

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1867 - 1870. Born: 2 September 1817, Adair County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 2 October 1867. Served under Governor(s): John W. Stevenson. Died: 2 August 1895, Adair County, Kentucky. Buried: Columbia City Cemetery, Columbia, Adair County, Kentucky.

Josiah Stoddard Johnston

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1870 - 1871. Born: 10 February 1833, New Orleans, Louisiana. Assigned to position: 9 March 1870. Served under Governor(s): John W. Stevenson. Died: 4 October 1913, Clayton, Missouri. Buried: Section G, Lot 21, Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky.

James Allen Dawson

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1871 - 1875. Born: 2 April 1834, Hart County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 5 September 1871. Served under Governor(s): Preston H. Leslie. Died: Denver, Arapaho County, Colorado. 16 January 1887. Buried: Riverside Cemetery, Denver, Adams County, Colorado.

John Montgomery Wright

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1875 - 1879. Born: February 1839, Madison Barracks, New York. Assigned to position: 4 September 1875. Served under Governor(s): James B. McCreary. Died: 2 January 1915, Washington, D.C. Buried: Section 2, Grave 3673, Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C.

Joseph Preyer Nuckols

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1879 - 1883. Born: 28 April 1828, Temple Hill, Barren County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 1 October 1879. Served under Governor(s): Luke P. Blackburn. Died: 30 March 1896, Glasgow, Barren County, Kentucky. Buried: Section F, Lot 2, Glasgow Municipal Cemetery, Glasgow, Barren County, Kentucky. Stone erected by Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp in August 1996.

John Breckinridge Castleman

Acting Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1883 - 1887. Adjutant General of Kentucky 1900. Born: 30 June 1842, Fayette County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: (Acting) 5 September 1883. Appointment Adjutant General: 3 February 1900. Served under Governor(s): J. Proctor Knott. Appointment confirmed by U.S. Supreme Court, 22 May 1900 under J.C.W. Beckham (See information listed under Daniel R. Collier). Died: 23 May1918, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky. Buried: Section O, Lot 95, Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky.

Samuel Ewing Hill

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1887 - 1891. Born: 30 January 1844, Morgantown, Butler County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 1 October 1887. Served under Governor(s): Simon Bolivar Buckner. Died: 31 May 1904, Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky. Buried: Section 15, Lot 20, Lexington, Cemetery, Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky.

Andrew Jackson Gross

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1891-1893; 1894-1895. Born: 31 October 1843, Butler County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 1 September 1891. Second Appointment: 1 May 1894. Served under Governor(s): John Y. Brown. Died: 17 June 1908, Holt, Breckinridge County, Kentucky. Buried: Grave 05632, Cloverport Cemetery #1, Cloverport, Breckinridge County, Kentucky.

John Crepps Wickliffe

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1893 - 1894. Born: 11 July 1830, Nelson County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 1 November 1893. Served under Governor(s): John Y. Brown. Died: 3 Jan 1913, Attalla, Etowah County, Alabama. Buried: Section C, Lot 28, Lexington Cemetery, Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky.

Daniel Ray Collier

Adjutant General of Kentucky:1895-1898; 1898-1900. Born: 21 November 1840, Garrard County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 10 December 1895. Second Appointment: 1 November 1898. Served under Governor(s): William O. Bradley and William S. Taylor. Collier, re-appointed Adjutant General under Governor William S. Taylor on 13 December 1899, continued to hold office simultaneously with John B. Castleman from 3 February 1900 while the two candidates disputed the issues in the courts. Collier remained in office in the Old Capitol, serving under Taylor, until 22 May 1900, at which time he yielded the office to General Castleman in compliance with a U.S. Supreme Court order. Died: 22 January 1904, Lancaster, Garrard County, Kentucky. Buried: Section 5, Lot 39, Grave 13, Lancaster Cemetery, Lancaster, Garrard County, Kentucky.

Wilbur Rush Smith

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1898. Born: 23 October 1853, Higginsport, Brown County, Ohio. Assigned to position: 8 September 1898. Served under Governor(s): William O. Bradley. Died: 15 March 1923, Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky. Buried: Section 8, Lot 26, Lexington Cemetery, Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky.

David Rodman Murray, Jr.

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1900 - 1903. Born: 13 March 1847, Breckinridge County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 30 November 1900. Served under Governor(s): J.C.W. Beckham. Died: 21 Sept 1919, Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio. Buried: Grave 15390, Murray Cemetery, Cloverport, Brenkinridge, County, Kentucky.

William Purcell Dennis (Percy) Haly

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1903 - 1906. Born: 1874, Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 10 December 1903. Served under Governor(s): J.C.W. Beckham. Died: 16 February 1937, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky. Buried: Section, F, Lot, 60, Grave 1, Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky.

Henry Robert Lawrence

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1906 - 1907. Born: 24 September 1873, Trigg County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 19 April 1906. Served under Governor(s): J.C.W. Beckham. Died: 15 June 1933, Cadiz, Trigg County, Kentucky. Buried: Lawrence Family Lot, East End Cemetery, Cadiz, Trigg County, Kentucky.

Philip Preston Johnston

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1907 - 1911. Born: 4 April 1840, Shiloh, King George County, Virginia. Assigned to position: 13 December 1907. Served under Governor(s): Augustus E. Wilson. Died: 10 February 1925, Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky. Buried: Row 33, Grave 1A, Johnston Burial Grounds, Johnston Pike, Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky.

William Birch Haldeman

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1912 - 1914. Born: 27 July 1846, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 4 January 1912. Served under Governor(s): James B. McCreary (2nd Term). Died: 27 October 1924, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky. Buried: Section Q, Lot 115, Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky.

James Tandy Ellis

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1914 - 1919. Born: 9 June 1868, Ghent, Carroll County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 2 September 1914. Served under Governor(s): Augustus O. Stanley and James B. Black. Died: 9 December 1942, Ghent, Carroll County, Kentucky. Buried: Ghent Cemetery, Ghent, Carroll County, Kentucky.

James Madison DeWeese

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1919 - 1920. Born: 25 October 1878, Pattyville, Ohio County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: First Appointment - 20 December 1919. Second Appointment - 16 June 1920. Served under Governor(s): Edwin P. Morrow. Died: 12 July 1967, Salt Lake City, Utah. Buried: DeWeese Mausoleum, Oakwood Cemetery, Hartford, Ohio County, Kentucky.

Isaac Wilder

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1920. Born: 5 August 1874, Owsley County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 14 June 1920. Served under Governor(s): Edwin P. Morrow. Died: 5 July 1933, Booneville, Owsley County, Kentucky. Buried: Booneville Cemetery, Booneville, Owsley County, Kentucky

Jackson Morris

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1920 - 1923. Born: 1 February 1875, Crockettsville, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 1 November 1920. Served under Governor(s): Edwin P. Morrow. Died: 17 August 1943, Hines, Cook County, Illinois. Buried: Section F, Grave 21, Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky.

Jouett Henry

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1923 - 1924. Born: 26 August 1861, Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 11 December1923. Served under Governor(s): William J. Fields. Died: 25 February 1942, Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky. Buried: Old Section, Lot 130, Riverside Cemetery, Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky.

James Arthur Kehoe

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1924 - 1927. Born: 1 November 1893, Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 19 March 1924. Served under Governor(s): William J. Fields. Died: 29 November 1983, Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky. Buried: Section H, Lot 74, Maysville Cemetery, Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky.

William Henry Jones, Jr.

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1927 - 1932. Born: 25 May 1895, Freedom, Barren County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 14 December 1927. Served under Governor(s): Flem D. Sampson and Ruby Laffoon. Died: 17 April 1959, Glasgow, Barren County, Kentucky. Buried: Section H, Lot 4, Glasgow Municipal Cemetery, Glasgow, Barren County, Kentucky.

Henry Herman Denhardt

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1932 - 1935. Born: 8 March 1876, Bowling Green, Warren County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 14 March 1932. Served under Governor(s): Ruby Laffoon. Died: 20 September 1937, Shelbyville, Shelby County, Kentucky. Buried: Section C, Lot 177, Fairview Cemetery, Bowling Green, Warren County, Kentucky.

George Lee McClain

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1935 - 1939. Born: 23 January 1895, Nelson County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 11 December 1935. Served under Governor(s): Albert B. (Happy) Chandler. Died: 4 February 1965, Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky. Buried: Section XV, Row 14, Bardstown City Cemetery, Nelson County, Kentucky.

John Arthur Polin

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1939 - 1944. Born: 16 October 1884, Washington County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 10 December 1939. Served under Governor(s): Keen Johnson. Died: 10 July 1965, Springfield, Washington County, Kentucky. Buried: St. Dominic Catholic Church Cemetery, Springfield, Washington County, Kentucky.

Gustavus Herbert May

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1944 - 1947. Born: 27 March 1893, Salyersville, Magoffin County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 25 January 1944. Served under Governor(s): Simeon Willis. Died: 2 September 1961, Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. Buried: Section EE, Lot 15, Grave 1, Rose Hill Cemetery, Ashland, Boyd County, Kentucky.

Roscoe Lee Murray

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1947 - 1951. Born: 26 September 1895, Bonnieville, Hart County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 9 December 1947. Served under Governor(s): Earle C. Clements and Lawrence W. Wetherby. Died: 6 November 1987, Hardin County, Kentucky. Buried: Upton Cemetery, Upton, Hardin County, Kentucky

Jesse Scott Lindsay

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1951 - 1955. Born: 18 August 1901, Ghent, Carroll County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 11 December 1951. Served under Governor(s): Lawrence W. Wetherby. Died: 1 March 1992, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky. Buried: The Peewee Valley Cemetery, Peewee Valley, Oldham County, Kentucky.

John Jacob Bethurum Williams

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1955 - 1959. Born: 27 June 1894, Mount Vernon, Rockcastle County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 13 December 1955. Served under Governor(s): Albert B. Chandler (2nd Term). Died: 30 November 1970, Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky. Buried: Plot: D 0 790-H, Mill Springs National Cemetery, Nancy, Pulaski County, Kentucky.

Arthur Young Lloyd

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1959 - 1967. Born: 12 January 1908, Lisman, Webster County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 8 December 1959. Served under Governor(s): Bert T. Combs and Edward T. Breathitt. Died: 17 October 1986, Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky. Buried: Section G, Lot 433, Grave 27, Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. No headstone marks his grave.

Allan Kenneth Carrell

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1967 - 1968. Born: 31 August 1909, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 12 December 1967. Served under Governor(s): Louie B. Nunn. Died: 14 December 1979, Paradise Valley, Maricopa County, Arizona. Buried: Body cremated, remains buried. Section 19, Lot 231, Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky.

Larry Clark Dawson

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1968 - 1971. Born: 18 June 1912, Logan County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 15 November 1968. Served under Governor(s): Louie B. Nunn. Died: 13 July 2000, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky. Buried: Berea Cemetery, Russellville, Logan County, Kentucky.

Richard Lamar Frymire, Jr.

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1971 - 1977. Born: 4 January 1931, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 7 December 1971. Served under Governor(s): Wendell H. Ford and Julian M. Carroll.

Major General Richard L. Frymire (Ret)

( 1931 - ) Major General Frymire began his military career in 1952 when he entered the Naval Aviation Cadet Program. He was designated a Naval Aviator with commission as Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, in March 1954. He served with VMF-114 at MCAS Cherry Point, flying the F2H-4 Banshee and F9F-8 Cougar before being assigned as instructor pilot, Advanced Training Command, NAS Corpus Christi, Texas.

Billy Gene Wellman

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1977 - 1987. Born: 29 May 1933, Ashland, Boyd County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 8 December 1977. Served under Governor(s): Julian M. Carroll, John Y. Brown, and Martha Layne Collins.

Michael Walker Davidson

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1987 - 1991. Born: 8 April 1947, Memphis, Tennessee. Assigned to position: 7 December 1987. Served under Governor(s): Wallace G. Wilkinson.

Tebbs Shewmaker Moore

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1991. Born: 11 November 1936, Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 11 October 1991. Served under Governor(s): Wallace G. Wilkinson.

Robert Louis DeZarn

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1991 - 1995. Born: 27 June 1933, Madison County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 10 December 1991. Served under Governor(s): Brereton C. Jones.

John Russell Groves, Jr.

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1995 - 2001. Born: 18 June 1946, Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 12 December 1995. Served under Governor(s): Paul E. Patton. Died: 27 September 2003, Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky.

Dean Allen Youngman

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 2001 – 2003. Born: 18 August 1947, Owensboro, Daviess County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 9 August 2001. Served under Governor(s): Paul E. Patton.

Donald C. Storm

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 2003 – 2007. Born: 13 Nov 1947, Lily, Laurel County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 9 December 2003. Served under Governor(s): Ernest Fletcher.

Edward W. Tonini

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 2007 – 2015. Assigned to position: 11 December 2007. Served under Governor(s): Steve Beshear.

Stephen Hogan

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 2015 – 2019. Assigned to position: 8 December 2015. Served under Governor(s): Matt Bevin.

Haldane (Hal) B. Lamberton

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 2019. Assigned to position: 10 December 2019. Serving under Governor: Andy Beshear.

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