Bantz J. Craddock

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Bantz John Craddock

General Bantz J. Craddock
Allegiance	United States Army
Rank	General
Commands	United States European Command Supreme Allied Commander Europe (NATO)
Battles/wars	Operation Desert Storm Kosovo War
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal

General Bantz John Craddock led the United States Southern Command from November 9, 2004 to December 2006. On December 7, 2006, General Craddock succeeded U.S. Marine Corps General James L. Jones as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) for NATO and as the Commanding officer of Allied Command Operations (ACO).

General Craddock was commissioned as an Armor officer upon graduation from West Virginia University. His initial tour of duty was with the U.S. 3rd Armored Division in Germany, followed by an assignment at Fort Knox, Kentucky, as an armor test officer for the U.S. Army Armor and Engineer Board. After completion of the Armor Officer Advanced Course, he was again assigned to the 3rd Armored Division, commanding a tank company in the 1st Battalion 32nd Armor.

In September 1981, General Craddock was reassigned to the Office of the Program Manager, Abrams Tank Systems in Warren, Michigan, as a Systems Analyst and later as Executive Officer. After graduation from the Command and General Staff College, General Craddock joined the 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized) in Germany, serving as the Executive Officer of the 4th Battalion 69th Armor for two years. He was subsequently reassigned to the Division Headquarters as the Deputy G-3, Operations.

In May 1989, General Craddock assumed command of the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Stewart, Georgia. He commanded the Tuskers for 26 months, deploying to Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Following command, General Craddock was the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, Operations, for the 24th Division. Subsequently, he attended the U.S. Army War College, graduating in 1993. General Craddock then assumed command of the 194th Separate Armored Brigade at Fort Knox. In June 1995, General Craddock inactivated the Brigade, and was assigned as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, for III Corps at Fort Hood, Texas.

In 1996, General Craddock was reassigned to the Joint Staff in the Pentagon as an Assistant Deputy Director in J-5. In August 1998, he joined the 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized) in Germany as the Assistant Division Commander for Maneuver. While serving in that capacity, General Craddock was designated as Commander of U.S. Forces for the initial entry operation into Kosovo. In August 1999, General Craddock was reassigned as the Commanding General of the 7th Army Training Command, U.S. Army Europe. In September 2000, General Craddock assumed command of the 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized) – the "Big Red One". Since August 2002, General Craddock has served as the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense.

First meeting between Craddock and Maj. Gen. Valeri Evtoukovitich (left) commander of Russian Forces in Kosovo at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, on July 7, 1999.

General Craddock has attended numerous Army schools and training programs and holds a Master’s degree in Military Arts and Sciences. His decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal w/ 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Valorous Unit Award. Foreign decorations include the United Nations Medal with bronze star, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), and the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait),

On July 14, 2006 NATO announced that, when his term as CO of the United States Southern Command expired, Craddock would succeed James L. Jones as Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) — NATO's top commander of operations. The change-of-command ceremony at Mons, Belgium, occurred on December 7, 2006.^[1]