Creighton Abrams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Creighton Abrams Jr.
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General Creighton W. Abrams
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| Born | September 15, 1914 Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | September 4, 1974 (aged 59) Walter Reed General Hospital, Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1936–1974 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Chief of Staff of the United States Army Military Assistance Command, Vietnam V Corps 3rd Armored Division 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment 63rd Armor Regiment Combat Command B, 4th Armored Division 37th Tank Battalion |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross (2) Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2) Army Distinguished Service Medal (5) Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal Joint Service Commendation Medal |
| Relations | Brigadier General Creighton W. Abrams III (son) General John N. Abrams (son) General Robert B. Abrams (son) |
Creighton Williams Abrams Jr. (September 15, 1914 – September 4, 1974) was a very important United States Army general. He led American military operations during the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1972. After that, he became the top leader of the U.S. Army, serving as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1972 until he passed away in 1974.
General Abrams was so respected that in 1980, the U.S. Army named its brand-new main battle tank, the M1 Abrams, after him. This tank is still used today! A building in Germany was also named after him for a time.
Contents
General Abrams' Military Journey
Starting His Army Career
Creighton Abrams went to the United States Military Academy at West Point, a famous military school. He graduated in 1936. After graduating, he joined the 1st Cavalry Division and quickly moved up in rank.
He became an "armor officer" early on. This meant he specialized in leading tanks. In 1940, he commanded a tank company in the 1st Armored Division.
World War II Hero
During World War II, Abrams was a key leader in the 4th Armored Division. He started as an assistant and then led a battalion of tanks. By September 1943, he was in charge of the 37th Tank Battalion. He also led a special combat group during the famous Battle of the Bulge.
Abrams was promoted quickly, becoming a lieutenant colonel at just 27 years old. His tank unit was often the main attacking force for General George S. Patton's Third Army. Abrams was known for being a very bold and smart tank commander. He used the speed of his tanks to beat German forces, even when their tanks were bigger.
General Patton, a legendary tank commander himself, once said that Abrams was the "world champion" of tank commanders. Abrams was honored twice with the Distinguished Service Cross for his amazing bravery. He played a big part in helping the soldiers trapped in Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge.
Between Wars and the Korean War
After World War II, Abrams continued to serve in the Army. He worked at the Army General Staff and taught tactics at the Armored School. He also went to advanced military colleges.
He commanded tank units in Europe from 1949 to 1952. These assignments were very important because of the Cold War. The U.S. was worried about a possible invasion of Western Europe by the Soviet Union.
Abrams joined the Korean War later than some. In South Korea, he served as a chief of staff for different army groups from 1953 to 1954.
Leading Divisions and Important Roles
When he returned from Korea, Abrams continued to rise through the ranks. He became a brigadier general and later a major general, commanding the 3rd Armored Division.
He also played a special role in the Pentagon. He helped oversee the military forces that supported important events during the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. This included helping to ensure James Meredith could enroll at the University of Mississippi and during civil rights protests in Birmingham, Alabama.
In 1963, he became a lieutenant general and commanded the V Corps in Europe. His picture appeared on the cover of Time magazine three times!
Leading in the Vietnam War
In 1964, Abrams became a full general. In May 1967, he was sent to South Vietnam as the second-in-command for General William Westmoreland, who was leading all U.S. forces there.
On June 10, 1968, Abrams took over from Westmoreland as the top commander of U.S. forces in Vietnam. This role was called COMUSMACV. Unlike some previous commanders, Abrams was less focused on public statements and more on the actual fighting.
Some people believe Abrams changed the strategy in Vietnam. He focused more on winning the trust of the Vietnamese people. This was called "hearts and minds." A special group worked on these programs. However, others felt that the overall strategy did not change much. U.S. forces still took part in large battles, like the Battle of Hamburger Hill in 1969.
After Richard Nixon became President, Abrams started to carry out the "Vietnamization" policy. This meant gradually reducing the number of U.S. troops in Vietnam and letting the South Vietnamese army take more responsibility. Under Abrams, American troop numbers dropped from over 543,000 in 1969 to 49,000 by June 1972.
In 1972, the South Vietnamese forces, with U.S. air support, successfully fought back a major attack from North Vietnam called the Easter Offensive. Abrams was also in charge of the Cambodian Incursion in 1970. President Nixon trusted Abrams' advice.
Chief of Staff of the Army
In June 1972, President Nixon chose Abrams to be the Chief of Staff of the United States Army. This is the highest-ranking officer in the Army. His appointment was delayed for a few months by the U.S. Senate.
As Chief of Staff, Abrams led the Army's change to an all-volunteer force. This meant people would choose to join the Army instead of being drafted. This project was called Project VOLAR.
In 1974, Abrams ordered the creation of new Ranger battalions. He wanted these soldiers to be the best and most skilled infantry in the world. He said they should be able to do things with their hands and weapons better than anyone. Today, the 75th Ranger Regiment continues this tradition.
General Abrams served as Chief of Staff until he passed away on September 4, 1974.
Personal Life and Family
Creighton Abrams was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. He married Julia Berthe Harvey in 1936. She was also very involved in helping military families.
The Abramses had six children: three sons and three daughters. All three of their sons became Army generals, just like their father! Their daughters also married Army officers.
Abrams became a Catholic during his time in Vietnam. He was buried with his wife Julia at Arlington National Cemetery, a special place where many American heroes are laid to rest.
Awards and Decorations
General Abrams received many awards for his bravery and service. Here are some of them:
- Distinguished Service Cross (with an extra award)
- Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with an extra award)
- Army Distinguished Service Medal (with four extra awards)
- Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
- Silver Star (with an extra award)
- Legion of Merit (with an extra award)
- Bronze Star Medal (with a "V" device for valor)
- Joint Service Commendation Medal
- American Defense Service Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (with a silver star)
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
- World War II Victory Medal
- Army of Occupation Medal
- National Defense Service Medal (with an extra award)
- Korean Service Medal (with a bronze star)
- Vietnam Service Medal (with two silver and three bronze stars)
- Army Presidential Unit Citation
- Foreign awards he received include
- Czechoslovak War Cross 1939–1945 (from Czechoslovakia)
- Legion of Honour (from France)
- Croix de Guerre (from France)
- Order of the Rising Sun, Grand Cordon (from Japan)
- Order of Sikatuna, rank of Lakan (Commander) (from the Philippines)
- Philippine Liberation Medal (from the Philippines)
- Order of Military Merit (from South Korea)
- Order of National Security Merit, Tongil Medal (from South Korea)
- Order of National Security Merit, Gukseon Medal (from South Korea)
- Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (from South Korea)
- National Order of Vietnam, Knight Grand Cross (from South Vietnam)
- Gallantry Cross with Palm (from South Vietnam)
- Armed Forces Honor Medal, First Class (from South Vietnam)
- Civil Actions Medal, First Class (from South Vietnam)
- Order of the White Elephant, Knight Grand Cross (from Thailand)
- Order of the Crown of Thailand, Knight Grand Cross (from Thailand)
- Distinguished Service Order (from the United Kingdom)
- United Nations Korea Medal (from the United Nations)
Dates of Rank
This table shows when Creighton Abrams was promoted to different ranks in the Army:
| Insignia | Rank | Component | Date |
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| Cadet | United States Military Academy | July 1, 1932 | |
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Second lieutenant | Regular Army | June 12, 1936 |
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First lieutenant | Regular Army | June 12, 1939 |
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Captain | Army of the United States | September 9, 1940 |
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Major | Army of the United States | February 1, 1942 |
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Lieutenant colonel | Army of the United States | September 3, 1942 |
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Colonel | Army of the United States | April 21, 1945 |
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Lieutenant colonel | Army of the United States | June 1, 1946 |
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Captain | Regular Army | June 12, 1946 |
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Major | Regular Army | July 1, 1948 |
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Colonel | Army of the United States | June 29, 1951 |
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Lieutenant colonel | Regular Army | July 7, 1953 |
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Brigadier general | Army of the United States | February 7, 1956 |
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Major general | Army of the United States | November 28, 1960 |
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Colonel | Regular Army | June 12, 1961 |
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Brigadier general | Regular Army | July 19, 1962 |
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Major general | Regular Army | May 23, 1963 |
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Lieutenant general | Army of the United States | August 1, 1963 |
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General | Army of the United States | September 4, 1964 |
