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Creighton Williams Abrams Jr. (Sep 15, 1914, Springfield, Massachusetts - Sep 4, 1974, Washington, D.C.) was a United States Army general who commanded military operations in the Vietnam War from 1968-72 which saw U.S. troop strength fall from 530,000 to 30,000. He served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1972 until shortly before his death in 1974. In honor of Abrams, the U.S. Army named the XM1 main battle tank after him as the M1 Abrams. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (800x1014, 92 KB) U.S. Army General Creighton W. Abrams, Jr. ...
Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (800x1014, 92 KB) U.S. Army General Creighton W. Abrams, Jr. ...
Nickname: City of Homes Springfield, Massachusetts - View from Highway Settled: 1636 – Incorporated: 1636 Zip Code(s): 01103 01107 01108 01119 01129 – Area Code(s): 413 Official website: http://www. ...
Nickname: DC, The District Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) Location of Washington, D.C., in relation to the states Maryland and Virginia Coordinates: Federal District District of Columbia Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) City Council Chairperson: Linda W. Cropp (D) Ward 1: Jim Graham (D) Ward 2: Jack Evans...
The United States Army is the largest branch of the United States armed forces and has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ...
Shoulder sleeve patch of the United States Army 4th Armored Division. ...
Coat of Arms of the United States Army 2d Cavalry Regiment Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the United States Army 2d Cavalry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia of the United States Army 2d Cavalry Regiment The 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment (2d ACR) —established by President Andrew Jackson on May 23, 1836 as...
There are several military divisions known as the 3rd Division: Infantry divisions Australian 3rd Division British 3rd Division (World War I) British 3rd Infantry Division Canadian 3rd Infantry Division Finnish 3rd Division (Winter War) Finnish 3rd Division (Continuation War) Polish 3rd Carpathian Infantry Division US 3rd Infantry Division Armoured divisions...
For the V Corps of the Union Army during the American Civil War, see V Corps (ACW) The V Corps (Fifth Corps)—nicknamed the Victory Corps—is a corps of the United States Army. ...
The U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, or MACV (phonetically mack vee), was the United States unified command structure for all its military forces in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. ...
The Flag of the Chief of Staff of the United States Army The Chief of Staff of the United States Army (CSA) is the professional head of the United States Army who is responsible for insuring readiness of the Army. ...
Combatants Major Allied powers: United Kingdom Soviet Union United States Republic of China and others Major Axis powers: Nazi Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Harry Truman Chiang Kai-Shek Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tojo Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead...
Combatants United Nations: Republic of Korea Australia Belgium Canada Colombia Ethiopia France Greece Netherlands New Zealand Philippines South Africa Thailand Turkey United Kingdom United States Medical staff: Denmark India Italy Norway Sweden Communist states: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea People’s Republic of China Soviet Union Commanders Syngman Rhee...
Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam People’s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000...
The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is the second highest military decoration of the United States Army, awarded for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. ...
The Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Army which is presented to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States military, has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great responsibility. ...
September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). ...
Year 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...
Nickname: City of Homes Springfield, Massachusetts - View from Highway Settled: 1636 – Incorporated: 1636 Zip Code(s): 01103 01107 01108 01119 01129 – Area Code(s): 413 Official website: http://www. ...
September 4 is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years). ...
1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ...
Nickname: DC, The District Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) Location of Washington, D.C., in relation to the states Maryland and Virginia Coordinates: Federal District District of Columbia Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) City Council Chairperson: Linda W. Cropp (D) Ward 1: Jim Graham (D) Ward 2: Jack Evans...
The United States Army is the largest branch of the United States armed forces and has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ...
A General is an officer of high military rank. ...
Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam People’s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000...
1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ...
1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ...
The Flag of the Chief of Staff of the United States Army The Chief of Staff of the United States Army (CSA) is the professional head of the United States Army who is responsible for insuring readiness of the Army. ...
1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ...
1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ...
The M1 Abrams main battle tank is the principal combat tank of the United States Army and the United States Marine Corps, with three main versions being deployed starting in 1980: the M1, M1A1, and M1A2. ...
The M1 Abrams main battle tank is the principal combat tank of the United States Army and the United States Marine Corps, with three main versions being deployed starting in 1980: the M1, M1A1, and M1A2. ...
Career summary
Early career He graduated from West Point in 1936 and served with the 1st Cavalry Division from 1936 to 1940, being promoted to first lieutenant in 1939 and temporary captain in 1940. The United States Military Academy, also known as West Point, or simply USMA (or Army, for NCAA purposes), is a United States Army fort and military academy. ...
1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ...
Shoulder sleeve patch of the United States Army 1st Cavalry Division. ...
First Lieutenant is a military rank. ...
1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ...
Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ...
He became an armored officer early in the development of that branch and served as a tank company commander in the 1st Armored Division in 1940. Shoulder sleeve patch of the United States Army 1st Armored Division, the Old Ironsides. ...
Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ...
World War II During World War II, he served with the 4th Armored Division, initially as regimental adjutant (June 1941 - June 1942) then as a battalion commander (July 1942 - March 1943), and regiment executive officer (March 1943 - September 1943) with the US 37th Armor Regiment. A reorganization of the division created a new battalion, the 37th Tank Battalion, which he commanded until March 1945 when he was promoted to command Combat Command B of the division. During this time he was promoted to the brevet ranks of major (March 1943) and lieutenant-colonel (September 1943). Combatants Major Allied powers: United Kingdom Soviet Union United States Republic of China and others Major Axis powers: Nazi Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Harry Truman Chiang Kai-Shek Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tojo Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead...
Shoulder sleeve patch of the United States Army 4th Armored Division. ...
An adjutant (from the Latin adiutans, present participle of the verb adiutare, to help; the Romans actually used adiutor for the noun) is an officer who assists a more senior officer. ...
Symbol of the Austrian 14th Armoured Battalion in NATO military graphic symbols A battalion is a military unit usually consisting of between two and six companies and typically commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel. ...
A regiment is a military unit, consisting of a group of battalions, usually four and commanded by a colonel. ...
An M1A1 Abrahms Main Battle Tank. ...
Symbol of the Austrian 14th Armoured Battalion in NATO military graphic symbols A battalion is a military unit usually consisting of between two and six companies and typically commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel. ...
An M1A1 Abrahms Main Battle Tank. ...
Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ...
In the US military, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank. ...
Major is a military rank the use of which varies according to country. ...
Lieutenant Colonel (Lieutenant-Colonel in English from the French grades spelling) is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine corps and air forces of the world, typically ranking above a Major and below a Colonel. ...
During much of this time his unit was at the spearhead of the 4th Armored Division and the Third Army, and he was consequently well known as an aggressive armor commander. By using his qualities as a leader and by consistently exploiting the relatively small advantages of speed and reliability of his vehicles he managed to defeat German forces who had the advantage of superior armor, superior guns and better trained troops. He was twice decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross, second only to the Medal of Honor, for actions on September 9, 1944 and December 26, 1944. The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is the second highest military decoration of the United States Army, awarded for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. ...
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States. ...
On April 23, 1945, Will Lang Jr. wrote a biography called "Colonel Abe" for Life (magazine) April 23 is the 113th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (114th in leap years). ...
Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ...
Will Lang Jr. ...
Edward Steichens portrait of Greta Garbo. ...
Abrams was known as an aggressive and successful armor commander. General George Patton said of him, "I'm supposed to be the best tank commander in the Army, but I have one peer: Abe Abrams. He's the world champion." His unit was frequently the spearhead of the Third Army during WWII. Abrams was one of the leaders in the relief effort which broke up the German entrenchments surrounding Bastogne and the 101st Airborne Division during the Battle of the Bulge. General George Smith Patton Jr. ...
A number of nations have had a Third Army British Third Army German Third Army Soviet Third Army US Third Army This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...
The coat of arms of the Bastogne municipality. ...
The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)—nicknamed the “Screaming Eaglesâ€â€”is an airborne division of the United States Army primarily trained for air assault operations. ...
Wikisource has original text related to this article: The Ardennes: Battle of the Bulge Combatants United States United Kingdom Nazi Germany Commanders Dwight Eisenhower George Patton Bernard Montgomery Walther Model Gerd von Rundstedt Adolf Hitler Strength Dec 16 - start of the Battle: about 83,000 men; 242 Sherman tanks, 182...
He was noted for his concern for soldiers, his emphasis on combat readiness, and his insistence on personal integrity.
Between wars Following the war he served on the Army General Staff (1945 - 1946), as head of the department of tactics at the Armored School, Fort Knox (1946 - 1948), and graduated from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth (1949). He was briefly promoted to (temporary) colonel in 1945 but reverted to lieutenant-colonel during WWII demobilization. Image File history File links Abrams-1961. ...
Image File history File links Abrams-1961. ...
October 13 is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1961 calendar). ...
The U.S. Bullion Depository at Ft. ...
First established in 1881 as a school for infantry and cavalry, the U.S. Armys Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas functions as a graduate school for U.S. and Allied military leaders. ...
In 1827, Colonel Henry Leavenworth established a post on the bluffs overlooking the western bank of the Missouri River to protect the fur trade, safeguard commerce on the Santa Fe Trail and maintain the peace among the inhabitants. ...
Colonel (IPA: or ) is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with the corresponding ranks existing in nearly every country in the world. ...
He commanded the 63d Tank Battalion, part of the 1st Infantry Division, in Europe (1949 - 1951). He was again promoted to colonel and commanded the 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment (1951-1952). These units were important assignments due to the Cold War concern for potential invasion of western Europe by the Soviet Union. He then attended and graduated from the Army War College in 1953. The 1st Infantry Division of the United States Army —nicknamed “The Big Red One†after its shoulder patch—is the oldest continuously serving division in the United States Army. ...
Coat of Arms of the United States Army 2d Cavalry Regiment Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the United States Army 2d Cavalry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia of the United States Army 2d Cavalry Regiment The 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment (2d ACR) —established by President Andrew Jackson on May 23, 1836 as...
The Cold War was the period of protracted conflict and competition between the United States and the Soviet Union and their allies from the late 1940s until the late 1980s. ...
The United States Army War College is a U. S. Army school located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, specifically in the historic Carlisle Barracks. ...
During his tenure in Germany he was on the cover of Time Magazine on October 13, 1961. He was to grace the covers again on April 19, 1968, and February 15, 1971. (Clockwise from upper left) Time magazine covers from May 7, 1945; July 25, 1969; December 31, 1999; September 14, 2001; and April 21, 2003. ...
April 19 is the 109th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (110th in leap years). ...
1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ...
February 15 is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ...
1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1971 calendar). ...
Korean Service Due to his service in Europe and his War College tour, he joined the Korean War late in the conflict. He successively served as chief of staff of the I, X, and IX Corps in Korea (1953-1954).
Staff Assignments and Division Command Upon return from Korea he served as Chief of Staff of the Armor Center, Fort Knox (1954-1956). He was promoted to brigadier-general and appointed deputy chief of staff for reserve components at the Pentagon (1956-1959). He was assistant division commander of 3rd Armored Division (1959 - 60) and then commanded the division (1960 - 62) upon his promotion to major-general. The U.S. Bullion Depository at Ft. ...
Brigadier General (sometimes known as a one-star general from the United States insignia) is the lowest rank of general officer in some countries, usually ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ...
Shoulder sleeve patch of the United States Army 3rd Armored Division, Spearhead. ...
Major General or Major-General is a military rank used in many countries. ...
He was then transferred to the Pentagon as deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (1962 - 63), then was promoted to lieutenant-general and commanded V Corps in Europe (1963 - 1964). Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ...
For the V Corps of the Union Army during the American Civil War, see V Corps (ACW) The V Corps (Fifth Corps)—nicknamed the Victory Corps—is a corps of the United States Army. ...
Vietnam He was promoted to general in 1964 and appointed vice Chief of Staff of the Army (he was seriously considered as a candidate for Chief of Staff at that time). Due to concerns about the conduct of the Vietnam War, he was appointed as deputy to General William Westmoreland, head of the Military Assistance Command in Vietnam, in May 1967. He succeeded Westmoreland as commander on June 10, 1968. His tenure of command was not marked by the public optimism of his predecessors, who were prone to press conferences and public statements. U.S. Army General Creighton W. Abrams watches Bob Hope at Long Binh in Vietnam, December, 1968. ...
U.S. Army General Creighton W. Abrams watches Bob Hope at Long Binh in Vietnam, December, 1968. ...
Bob Hope KBE (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003), born Leslie Townes Hope, was a British-born American entertainer who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, on radio and television, in movies, and in performing tours for U.S. Military personnel. ...
A General is an officer of high military rank. ...
General William Westmoreland William Childs Westmoreland (March 26, 1914 – July 18, 2005) was a U.S. Army General who commanded American military operations in the Vietnam War at its peak from 1964 to 1968 and who served as US Army Chief of Staff from 1968 to 1972. ...
The Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV, pronounced as mac vee) was the United States command structure during the Vietnam War from 1962 until the wars end. ...
1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ...
June 10 is the 161st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (162nd in leap years), with 204 days remaining. ...
1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ...
 Creighton Abrams on cover February 15, 1971, issue of Time Magazine preceding Cambodian invasion. Following the election of President Richard Nixon he implemented the Nixon Doctrine referred to as Vietnamization. Vietnamization was designed to wind down U.S. involvement in Vietnam, and have South Vietnam responsible for executing the war. Image File history File links Abrams-1971. ...
Image File history File links Abrams-1971. ...
Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913 – April 22, 1994) was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. ...
The Nixon Doctrine was put forth in a press conference in Guam on July 25, 1969 by Richard Nixon. ...
Official language Vietnamese Capital Saigon Last President Duong Van Minh Last Prime Minister Vu Van Mau Area - Total - % water 173,809 km² N/A Population - Total - Density 19,370,000 (1973 est. ...
Troop strength under Abrams decreased from 535,000 in December 1968 to 140,000 in December 1971 to 30,000 combat troops at the end of 1972. Abrams was in charge of the Cambodian Incursion in 1970. Although it occurred before he assumed total command, he bore the brunt of fallout from the My Lai massacre in March 1968. The Cambodian Incursion was a military campaign during the Vietnam War involving a limited-objective invasion of Cambodia in 1970. ...
Photographs of the My Lai massacre provoked world outrage and made it an international scandal. ...
Chief of Staff He was appointed Chief of Staff of the United States Army in June 1972 but was not confirmed by the Senate until October 1972 due to political repercussions involving disobedience by one of his subordinate commanders. (It has also been reported that Congress held up the confirmation to question the administration's war in Cambodia.) He served in this position until his death due to complications from lung cancer surgery in September 1974. During this time he began the transition to the all-volunteer Army. The Flag of the Chief of Staff of the United States Army The Chief of Staff of the United States Army (CSA) is the professional head of the United States Army who is responsible for insuring readiness of the Army. ...
Personal data He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1914. His father was a railway mechanic and farmer. Nickname: City of Homes Springfield, Massachusetts - View from Highway Settled: 1636 – Incorporated: 1636 Zip Code(s): 01103 01107 01108 01119 01129 – Area Code(s): 413 Official website: http://www. ...
Year 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...
Abrams married Canadian Julia Abrams (1915 - 2003) in 1936. She founded the "Arlington Ladies" and devoted a great deal of her time to humanitarian causes. They had three daughters and three sons. The sons all became Army officers, and all of the daughters married Army officers. 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ...
He converted to Roman Catholicism while serving in Vietnam.
Abrams is buried with his wife in Arlington National Cemetery. [[ Historical Information Arlington National Cemetery Section 27 Facts Pvt. ...
References - Sorley, Lewis. Thunderbolt: General Creighton Abrams and the army of his time. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1992. ISBN 0-671-70115-0
External links - Arlington Cemetery website
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