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.

[3] After graduation, Kilburn competed for an appointment from William Robert Smith to the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York.

[7] In August, Kilburn was promoted again, thus time to temporary captain as the army underwent expansion during U.S. participation in World War I.

[5] From September to December 1917, Kilburn was assigned to Camp Sherman, Ohio as aide-de-camp to Brigadier General Willard Ames Holbrook, the commander of the 165th Infantry Brigade.

[7] From September to December 1918, Kilburn was again aide-de-camp to Willard Holbrook, who was now the commander of the newly activated 9th Division at Camp Sheridan near Montgomery, Alabama.

His post-war assignments included instructor at the Southern Department's Military Government School, which was located at Fort Bliss,[7] commander of the 7th Field Signal Battalion at Fort Sam Houston, Texas,[7] and aide-de-camp to Edward Mann Lewis, commander of the Eighth Corps Area.

[10] In 1937, Kilburn graduated from the United States Army War College and was assigned to the staff of the Office of the Chief of Cavalry.

[12] During the Battle of the Bulge, the 11th Armored Division executed a forced march to the Meuse and took up the defense of a 30-mile sector from Givet to Sedan.

[12] The division made contact with units of the U.S. First Army at Houffalize, Belgium on January 16, then took part in the breaching of the Siegfried Line.

[12] In late March 1945, Kilburn was relieved of command as the result of his performance in combat during the division's crossing of the River Rhine.

[13] Kilburn lost communications with his subordinate units during the attack, and his superiors, Troy H. Middleton and George S. Patton decided to replace him[13] and he was succeeded by Brigadier General Holmes E. Dager.

[18] In addition to his civil defense work, Kilburn was also involved in civic and charitable efforts, including raising funds for The Salvation Army in Marin County, California.