Paul J. Mueller

Paul John Mueller(November 16, 1892 – 1964) was a career United States Army officer. He served overseas during World War I and World War II.

Education
Paul Mueller was a graduate of the West Point class of 1915, known as "the class the stars fell on".

World War I
Served in World War I as the commander of an infantry battalion of the 64th Infantry Regiment in France.

Peacetime
After the war he had assignments to infantry commands, held staff positions and attended schools. He was a member of the occupation army stationed in Koblenz from 1920 to 1922. After leaving Germany, he attended and graduated from the Command and General Staff School in 1923. In 1928 he graduated from the Army War College. From 1931 to 1934 he served with the War Plans Division of the War Department General Staff. His next assignment was as an instructor with the General Staff College from 1935 to 1940. He led the training division from 1940 to 1941 for the chief of the infantry command. Later that year he was assigned as Chief of Staff for the 2nd Army and promoted to Brigadier General.

World War II
In August 1942, after the United States entered World War II, he was given command of the 81st Infantry Division at Ft. Rucker, Alabama and was soon promoted to Major General. The 81st Infantry Division, known as the Wildcat Division, had been commanded by Maj. Gen. Gustave H. Franke since its reactivation in June 1942. For the next two years Gen. Mueller moved the division to different training locations throughout the United States before it was deployed overseas in the summer of 1944.

General Mueller led the Wildcat Division into its first taste of combat on 17 September 1944 during the Palau Islands campaign. While the majority of the 81st invaded Angaur Island, RCT 321 joined the 1st Marine Division in its assault of Peleliu Island. RCT 321 also assisted in capturing Ngesebus Island, Kongauru and Garakayo Islands. Operating under a naval task force, RCT 323 occupied Ulithi Atoll.

Beginning in November 1944 and continuing into the new year, General Mueller and the 81st captured Pulo Anna Island, Kyangel Atoll, and Pais Island.

After a break for rehabilitation and training, General Mueller led the 81st to Leyte in May 1945 where they helped with mopping up operations until August 12, 1945. On the 18th of September, General Mueller began occupation duty with the 81st Division in Japan.

Postwar and Retirement
In January 1946, the 81st Division was deactivated and General Mueller took over command of the 86th Infantry Division from January 1946 to April 1946, replacing Maj. Gen. Harris M. Melasky. Maj. General Mueller commanded the 86th for a short time until relinquishing command to Maj. Gen. Harry F. Hazlett.

After leaving the 86th Infantry Division, General Mueller served as Chief of Staff to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Tokyo until 1949. Following this assignment he became the Deputy Commander of the Third Army from 1949 to 1950.

His next assignment was as head of the Career Management Division. He continued in this assignment until his retirement in September 1954.

He died in 1964.