Wikipedia

Karl F. Hausauer

Karl F. Hausauer (31 October 1896 – 5 December 1979) was an American businessman and military officer from New York. In addition to a civilian career as an executive of a Buffalo, New York printing company, he served in the army from 1918 to 1957, including time with the Regular Army, Organized Reserve Corps, and National Guard. A veteran of World War I and World War II, from 1950 to 1957 Hausauer served as Adjutant General of New York.

Karl F. Hausauer
1953 head and shoulders photo of Major General Karl F. Hausauer. Enhanced and colorized from original.
Hausauer in 1953
Born(1896-10-31)31 October 1896
Buffalo, New York, US
Died5 December 1979(1979-12-05) (aged 83)
Houston, Texas, US
Buried
Crestlawn Cemetery, Vero Beach, Florida, US
Service
United States Army
Organized Reserve Corps
New York Army National Guard
Service years
1918, 1941–1948 (Army)
1918–1921 (Reserve)
1917–1918, 1921–1941, 1948–1957 (National Guard)
Rank
Major General (National Guard)
Lieutenant General (Retired list)
Service numberO142022
UnitUS Army Field Artillery Branch
US Army Coast Artillery Corps
CommandsBattery D, 106th Field Artillery Regiment
1st Battalion, 106th Field Artillery Regiment
1st Battalion, 209th Coast Artillery (Anti-Aircraft) Regiment
209th Coast Artillery (Anti-Aircraft) Regiment
102nd Coast Artillery Brigade (Anti-Aircraft)
US Forces, Port of Belfast
105th Antiaircraft Brigade
New York National Guard
Adjutant General of New York
Wars
World War I
World War II
AwardsLegion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal
Order of the British Empire
Croix de Guerre with palm (Belgium)
Croix de Guerre with palm (France)
Alma materCarnegie Institute of Technology
Spouses
Portia Lucille Bargar
​
​
(m. 1925⁠–⁠1967)​
[1][2]
Phyllis Kirk Allen
​
​
(m. 1970⁠–⁠1971)​
[3][4]
Children2[5]
Other workPresident, Baker, Jones and Hausauer Printing

A native of Buffalo, Hausauer graduated from the Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1917 and joined his family's printing business. In October 1917, he began his military career when he joined the New York National Guard's Company A, 74th Infantry Regiment as a private. He was activated for federal service during World War I and underwent officer training at Camp Zachary Taylor, Kentucky. He received his commission shortly after the end of the war; after his release from active duty he joined the Organized Reserve Corps.

Hausauer later transferred to the National Guard, and he advanced through staff and command assignments in the Field Artillery and Coast Artillery, including command of Battery D, 106th Field Artillery Regiment, and 1st Battalion, 106th Field Artillery Regiment. During World War II, he commanded 1st Battalion, 209th Coast Artillery (Anti-Aircraft) Regiment, and acted as commander of the regiment and its higher headquarters 102nd Coast Artillery Brigade (Anti-Aircraft). After arrival in Europe, he commanded US Forces, Port of Belfast and was one of the planners of the Operation Overlord invasion of France.

After the war, Hausauer advanced to the general officer ranks and commanded the 105th Antiaircraft Brigade and New York National Guard. In 1950 he was appointed the head of New York's National Guard; in most states this position is titled the adjutant general; legislation enacted at the time of Hausauer's appointment changed the title to chief of staff to the governor. Hausauer retired from the military in 1957. After retiring from a position with the state government in 1960, he resided in Vero Beach, Florida. Hausauer died in Houston, Texas on 5 December 1979 and was buried at Crestlawn Cemetery in Vero Beach.

Early life

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Karl Frederick Hausauer was born in Buffalo, New York on 31 October 1896, a son of George M. Hausauer and Isabella (Plogsted) Hausauer.[6] He was educated in the public schools of Buffalo, and was a 1913 graduate of Lafayette High School.[7] In 1917, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Carnegie Institute of Technology.[8][a] After college, he began work with his family's printing business, Baker, Jones and Hausauer; he eventually became president and chairman of the board, and he remained with the company until it was liquidated in 1963.[9][10]

Start of military career

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In September 1917, Hausauer was chosen as second lieutenant of the Parkside Company of the First Home Defense Regiment, a home guard unit organized to protect strategic sites as the US prepared for entry into the First World War.[11] In October 1917, Hausauer began his United States Army career when he joined the New York National Guard's Company A, 74th Infantry Regiment as a private.[12] He was promoted to sergeant in January 1918.[12] In August 1918, he entered the Regular Army for World War I.[12] Selected for positions of more rank and responsibility, he was assigned to the Field Artillery Central Officers Training School at Camp Zachary Taylor, Kentucky.[7][13] Hausauer continued his training after the Armistice of November 11, 1918 ended the war, and in December he received his commission as a second lieutenant of Field Artillery.[12]

After receiving his commission, Lally was discharged from the Regular Army and transferred to the Organized Reserve Corps.[12] In February 1921, he returned to the New York National Guard as a member of the 65th Field Artillery Regiment.[12] He continued to serve with this organization when it was redesignated the 106th Field Artillery Regiment, and he was promoted to first lieutenant in August 1921 and captain in August 1922.[12] He commanded Battery D from 1921 to 1923, then was assigned as the regimental plans, operations, and training officer (R-3).[12] He was transferred to the staff of the regiment's 2nd Battalion in April 1928 and promoted to June in 1928.[12] In March 1929, he was transferred to command of 1st Battalion, 106th Field Artillery.[12] Hausauer remained in this position until August 1940, when he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and assigned as the regimental executive officer.[12]

Continued military career

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In July 1940, Hausauer was assigned to assist in the formation of a new regiment, the 209th Coast Artillery (Anti-Aircraft) Regiment, and he was designated the commander of its 1st Battalion.[12][14] He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in August, and led the recruiting, organization, and training of his battalion in Buffalo until February 1941, when the unit entered active duty for World War II and departed for additional training at Camp Stewart, Georgia.[12][15] After reaching Georgia, Hausauer was assigned as the regimental executive officer and second in command.[16] In the summer of 1941, Hausauer was among the 209th Regiment's officers selected for attendance at a 10 week antiaircraft artillery course which was held at Fort Monroe, Virginia.[17] In June, he was appointed acting regimental commander.[18] In December, most 209th soldiers were granted Christmas furloughs; Hausauer was appointed acting commander of the 209th's higher headquarters, the 102nd Coast Artillery Brigade (Anti-Aircraft).[19]

In February 1942, Hausauer was among the senior officers of the 209th Coast Artillery who were selected for advanced tactical training at Fort Monroe.[20] In late 1942, Hausauer left the 209th Coast Artillery for Belfast, Northern Ireland, where he was assigned to command US forces at the Port of Belfast, one of the main points of entry for US Army units arriving in the European theatre.[21][22] In May 1943, Hausauer was promoted to colonel and he served as assistant chief of staff for logistics (G-4) on the staff of the European Theater of Operations, United States Army (ETOUSA) headquarters in England.[12][23] In 1944 and 1945, Hausauer was a member of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force's (SHAEF) Chief of Staff to the Supreme Allied Commander's (COSSAC) team that developed the plan for the Operation Overlord invasion of mainland Europe.[24] In March 1945, Hausauer was dispatched from England to the United States to attend planning conferences and conduct liaison between SHAEF and the US Department of War.[24] Hausauer returned to the United States in October 1945, and he was released from active duty in March 1946.[12][25]

Later military career

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From March 1946 to February 1948, Hausauer belonged to the Organized Reserve Corps; assigned to the New York National Guard's state headquarters, he took part in the Guard's post-war reorganization. In July 1947, he was assigned to command the National Guard's 105th Antiaircraft Artillery Brigade as a brigadier general. In September 1948, Hausauer was selected to command the New York National Guard, succeeding Hugh A. Drum, who had held the position during the Second World War while serving in the New York Guard.[26] In October, Hausauer received promotion to major general.[27] In May 1949, Hausauer was appointed military chief of staff to the governor; the law creating this position made the state adjutant general's position, then held by Ames T. Brown, subordinate to the chief of staff.[28] The New York Division of Military and Naval Affairs continued to use the chief of staff title for its head until 1988, when it was changed back to Adjutant General of New York.[29] The legislation creating the chief of staff's position also directed the chief of staff to disband the New York Guard, presuming there was no need for it following World War II; the continued need for the organization during the Korean War soon became apparent, and the New York Guard's reconstitution and reorganization began in 1950.[28][30]

Hausauer's term as head of New York's National Guard was marked by the organization and fielding of the New York Air National Guard, which had been created in 1947.[31] He also oversaw the activation and training of New York units for federal service during the Korean War.[32] In addition, he led the Guard's reorganization during the Cold War, including an emphasis on Armor units to defend West Germany in the event of an invasion from the Soviet Union.[33] Hausauer retired from the military in January 1957 and was succeeded by Ronald C. Brock.[34] In May 1957, he was appointed the state Division of Military and Naval Affairs liaison to the US Department of Defense, a position he received in order to allow him to qualify for a state pension.[35] Hausauer retired in 1959 and moved to Vero Beach, Florida.[36] In February 1960, he received promotion to lieutenant general on the state's retired list as a commendation of the outstanding service he rendered throughout his career.[36] Hausauer's US awards and decorations included the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star Medal.[37] His foreign decorations included the Order of the British Empire, Belgian Croix de Guerre with palm, and French Croix de Guerre with palm.[37]

Retirement and death

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After moving to Florida, Hausauer took part in civic and charitable activities, including board of directors member and fundraising drives chairman for the Indian River County Library.[38][39] He also became active in the Indian River chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars.[40] In addition, he was a member of the American Legion and served as a member of the Vero Beach maritime commission that was created to regulate boats and yachts at the city's docks and marinas.[41][42] Hausauer died in Houston, Texas on 5 December 1979.[5] He was buried at Crestlawn Cemetery in Vero Beach.[43]

Dates of rank

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Hausauer's dates of rank were:

References

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  1. ↑ "Engagements and Weddings: Hausauer–Bargar". Buffalo Sunday Times. Buffalo, New York. 6 December 1925. p. 61 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ "Death Notice, Mrs. Karl F. Hausauer". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 7 November 1967. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Marriage Licenses: Hausauer–Allen". Vero Beach Press Journal. Vero Beach, Florida. 16 April 1970. p. 29 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Pinellas News of Record: Final Judgments; Hausauer vs. Hausauer". The Tampa Tribune. Tampa, Florida. 6 February 1971. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 "Longtime Leader, 83, Dies in Texas". Indian River Today. Cocoa, Florida. 13 December 1979. p. B-1 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ The Monthly Supplement: A Current Biographical Reference Service. Chicago, Illinois: A.N. Marquis Company. 1952. p. 632 – via Google Books.
  7. 1 2 Lafayette High School of Buffalo, N.Y. In the World War, 1914-1919. Buffalo, New York: Baker, Jones and Hausauer. 1920. p. 44 – via HathiTrust.
  8. ↑ "Hausauer Will Command New Battalion Here". Buffalo Courier-Express. Buffalo, New York. 26 July 1940. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Elected By Baker Jones, Hausauer". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 16 March 1956. p. Section III, Page 36 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Baker, Jones To Liquidate". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 8 June 1963. p. C-9 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Parkside Company, Defense Regiment, Mustered In". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 15 September 1917. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 New York State Military Museum (1979). "New York Military Service Cards, 1816-1979, Entry for Karl F. Hausauer". Ancestry.com. Lehi, Utah: Ancestry.com, LLC. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  13. ↑ Field Artillery Central Officers Training School (1919). F.A.C.O.T.S.: The Story of the Field Artillery Central Officers Training School, Camp Zachary Taylor, Kentucky. New York, New York: The Knickerbocker Press. p. 254 – via Google Books.
  14. ↑ "Hausauer Named to Head Buffalo's 209th Battalion". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 25 July 1940. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ Aman, Eddie (11 February 1941). "Officers of 209th, Leaving for South Thursday". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "275 Selectees at Ft. Dix Will Be Transferred to 209th". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 9 April 1941. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "More Range Practice Ahead For 209th". Buffalo Courier-Express. Buffalo, New York. 6 May 1941. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ Aman, Eddie (26 June 1941). "Don't Say No To U.S.O." Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ "Commanders Shifted During Furlough of 209th's Col. Towson". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 20 December 1941. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ↑ Tucker, Jack (6 February 1942). "14 More Win 209th Boosts". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, New York. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "Family Affair". The Greenville News. Greenville, South Carolina. 13 December 1942. p. C-8 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ↑ "Ulsterman's U.S. Garb". Belfast Telegraph. Belfast, Northern Ireland. 25 March 1943. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ↑ "Former Chief of 209th On European General Staff". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 8 June 1943. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. 1 2 "Production Vital, Says Col. Hausauer, On Special Mission". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 7 March 1945. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ↑ "Ship returns Buffalonians". Buffalo Courier-Express. Buffalo, New York. 5 October 1945. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ↑ "Gen. Hausauer New Head of State Guard". The Daily Sentinel. Rome, New York. Associated Press. 11 September 1948. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 National Guard Bureau (1952). Official National Guard Register (Army). Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 443 – via Google Books.
  28. 1 2 "Gen. K. F. Hausauer Is Made New York's First Chief of Staff". Binghamton Press. Binghamton, New York. Associated Press. 5 May 1949. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ↑ Eisenstadt, Peter R. (2005). The Encyclopedia of New York State. Syracuse, New York: Syracuse University Press. p. 16. ISBN 978-0-8156-0808-0.
  30. ↑ International News Service (25 July 1950). "New York State Guard Organization Taken Up". Rockland County Journal News. Nyack, New York. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ↑ "106th Wing Induction Set For Thursday". The Reporter Dispatch. White Plains, New York. 26 February 1951. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ↑ United Press (28 March 1951). "Hausauer Alerts Elements of NYNG For Active Duty". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ↑ "Some WNY Units to Leave 27th Div. in Shift to Armor". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 18 December 1954. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ↑ Borst, Ray (31 December 1956). "Hausauer Retires Next Month; Brock Names to Succeed Him". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ↑ "Gen. Hausauer named to $5,410 State Post". The Daily Item. Port Chester, New York. Associated Press. 24 May 1957. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. 1 2 3 "Appointments Approved". Wellsville Daily Reporter. Wellsville, New York. Associated Press. 9 February 1960. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. 1 2 "Service Careers of Hausauer And Brock Strikingly Similar". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 12 February 1957. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ↑ "Library Campaign Plans Announced". Vero Beach Press Journal. Vero Beach, Florida. 19 January 1961. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ↑ "Board Expands Directors to 15". Miami Herald. Miami, Florida. 13 May 1961. p. B-1 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ↑ "Military Order Installation Due Saturday". Vero Beach Press Journal. Vero Beach, Florida. 24 January 1963. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ↑ "Advertisement: Did You Know?". Vero Beach Journal. Vero Beach, Florida. 26 March 1970. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ↑ "City Council Asked To Form Maritime Commission". Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, Florida. 3 April 1970. p. 41 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ↑ "Deaths: Karl Hausauer". Miami Herald. Miami, Florida. 12 December 1979. p. C-1 – via Newspapers.com.

Notes

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  1. ↑ Sources include conflicting dates for Hausauer's high school and college graduations. The date for his graduation from high school is variously given as 1911 to 1915. His college graduation date is given as 1914 to 1917.
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