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- Weatherred, Preston
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LTG (Ret) Preston A. Weatherred
General Weatherred is a 1903 graduate of Carlisle Military Academy who is honored for his professional achievements during a long and illustrious military career which led him from Second Lieutenant to the rank of Lieutenant General in the Texas Army National Guard. General Weatherred is also honored for his long and distinguished career as a prominent attorney in the State of Texas.
General Weatherred was born in Oceola in Hill County, Texas on 11 August 1884. He attended public school in Texas. During the period 1902 to 1903, he attended the University when it was Carlisle Military Academy and participated as a member of the Corps of Cadets. Since General Weatherred had enlisted in the Texas National Guard in 1900, and had advanced through the ranks, he was promoted to the grade of Second Lieutenant on July 19, 1902, while then a cadet at Carlisle Military Academy. In view of his rank he was immediately made the Commandant of Cadets. Following his graduation from Carlisle Military Academy he continued to serve in various line and staff assignments. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with an LLB degree in 1908.
In 1916, while serving as Commander of Company K, 2nd Texas Infantry Regiment, his regiment was called to the Mexican Border. He was promoted to Major on August 5, 1917 and remained with his regiment on the Mexican Border continuously until October, 1917 when he joined the 36th Division as Commander of the 132nd Machine Gun Battalion. He served with distinction in the Somme Offensive in World War I with the 36th Division. He was honorably discharged upon demobilization on November 17, 1920. After World War I, he accepted appointment in the Texas National Guard and was promoted to Colonel in 1923 with assignment as Chief of Staff on the 36th Division. During his sixteen years of service as Chief of Staff, he was instrumental in the establishment of division policies that contributed greatly to the magnificent service rendered by that division during World War II. He was promoted to Brigadier General in May 1939 and assigned as Commanding General, 72nd Infantry Brigade. He was inducted into Federal Service again on November 25, 1940. He was relieved from active military service on September 26, 1942.
General weathered was promoted to the grade of Major General in April 1946 and assigned as the Commanding General of the 36th Infantry Division, Texas National Guard. General Weatherred had the unique distinction of having borne responsibility for the reorganization of his old division succeeding two world wars. On July 8, 1949, he was promoted to Lieutenant General and assigned to command the Texas National Guard until his retirement on august 11, 1949 after serving over 48 years.
General Weatherred authored “Points for Infantry Leaders (1940, 1943, 1950, and 1964)” and “Schedules for Fundamental Infantry Training (1917).” These handbooks were a must for Infantry officers at the time they were written and served as the source for many Infantry officers during World War II. He was also author of brochures on labor management relations and federal wage and hour laws. He was contributing editor on a book entitled “Ice and Refrigeration.”
General Weatherred’s career as an attorney started in 1912 and was interrupted only by his active military service. He specialized in industrial administration, insurance, and corporate law. He served as counsel with the law firm of Blachetted, Smith, and Sheldon of Dallas, Texas and served as General Counsel for the ice industry in Washington, D.C. in 1934 and 1935. He was the Senior Vice President and General Counsel for International Fidelity Insurance Company.
General Weatherred was a member of the Bar Association of Dallas; Texas Bar Association; American Bar Association; Delta-Chi Club; Rotary Club of Dallas and the Dallas Athletic Club.
General Weatherred died on December 2, 1967 in Dallas, Texas.
General Weatherred’s performance while at Carlisle Military Academy as the Commandant of Cadets, and his subsequent achievements in the U.S. Army, Texas Army National Guard and as attorney brought great credit and recognition upon himself, The University of Texas at Arlington and the Corps of Cadets.