John N. Abrams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John N. Abrams
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Abrams as Training and Doctrine Command commander, circa 1998
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| Born | September 3, 1946 Fort Knox, Kentucky, United States |
| Died | August 20, 2018 (aged 71) Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Washington, D.C., United States |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1966–2002 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Training and Doctrine Command V Corps 2nd Infantry Division Joint Task Force Kuwait 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War Gulf War Operation Joint Endeavor |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star Medal (4) Purple Heart |
| Spouse(s) |
Cecilia Bosico
(m. 1969) |
| Relations | General Creighton Abrams (father) Brigadier General Creighton W. Abrams III (brother) General Robert B. Abrams (brother) |
| Other work | Military analyst, Associated Press |
General John Nelson Abrams (born September 3, 1946 – died August 20, 2018) was a very important four-star general in the United States Army. He led the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) from 1998 to 2002. TRADOC is in charge of training soldiers and developing new ideas for the Army.
Contents
John Abrams' Early Life and Army Start
John Abrams was born on September 3, 1946, in Fort Knox, Kentucky. His father was also a famous general named Creighton Abrams. John went to high school in Frankfurt, Germany, and finished in 1964. After attending Bowling Green University for a while, he decided to join the United States Army.
He joined the Army on January 16, 1966. After his first training, he went to Officer Candidate School. This is where soldiers learn to become officers. He became a second lieutenant (a junior officer) in the Armor division on February 3, 1967. He then served in the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1969, leading different groups of soldiers.
Learning and Growing in the Army
John Abrams continued his education while serving in the Army. He earned a degree in business administration from Bowling Green University in 1972. Later, in 1986, he received a master's degree in public administration from Shippensburg University. This was part of his training at the Army War College, which is a school for senior military leaders. In 2002, he also received an honorary doctorate degree from Norwich University for his work in military education.
After the Vietnam War, Abrams became an instructor at the United States Military Academy (West Point) in 1972. This is a famous school where future Army officers are trained. He also attended the United States Army Command and General Staff College. From 1988 to 1990, he was in charge of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
Becoming a General
John Abrams kept moving up in the Army. He became a brigadier general in 1991. From 1993 to 1995, he commanded the 2nd Infantry Division as a major general.
In 1995, he was promoted to lieutenant general and took command of V Corps. This group of soldiers helped with a mission called Operation Joint Endeavor. This mission was about keeping peace in Bosnia.
From 1997 to 1998, he was the second-in-command at the Army's Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). Then, in 1998, he became a full general and took charge of TRADOC. He led this important command until he retired from the Army in 2002.
Awards and Special Honors
General Abrams received many awards for his bravery and service in the Army. Here are some of them:
- Army Distinguished Service Medal (received twice)
- Silver Star (received twice for bravery in combat)
- Legion of Merit (received three times)
- Bronze Star (received four times, one with a "V" for valor in combat)
- Purple Heart (awarded to soldiers wounded in combat)
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Air Medal (received twice)
- Army Commendation Medal
- Army Achievement Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal
- Southwest Asia Service Medal
- Armed Forces Service Medal
- Army Service Ribbon
- Overseas Service Ribbon (received five times)
- NATO Medal for Former Yugoslavia
- Vietnam Gallantry Cross (with a silver star and two bronze stars)
- Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Knight Commander's Cross
- Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Ribbon
- Civil Actions Unit Citation Ribbon
- Vietnam Campaign Medal
- Kuwait Liberation Medal (from Kuwait)
Life After the Military
After retiring from the Army in 2002, General Abrams became a military expert for the Associated Press. He would share his knowledge and opinions about military events. He also started his own company, John Abrams Learning & Information Systems, Inc., which was a consulting and technology business.
General Abrams passed away on August 20, 2018, at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, a special place where many American heroes are laid to rest.
Abrams Family
John Abrams came from a family of military leaders. His parents were Julia Berthe Harvey and General Creighton W. Abrams Jr.. His brothers, Creighton III and Robert, also became generals in the Army.
John Abrams married Cecilia Bosico in 1969. They had two daughters named Noël and Elizabeth.
Images for kids
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Abrams as a brigadier general in 1990 while serving in the Army's Office of the Deputy Chief Staff for Operations and Plans
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Colonel Jeffrey Hage of the United States National Intelligence Center (USNIC) in Bosnia escorts Abrams through the center during Operation Joint Endeavor in 1996
