John N. Abrams
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| John N. Abrams | |
|---|---|
| Born September 3, 1946 | |
 General John N. Abrams (left) |
|
| Place of birth | Fort Knox, Kentucky |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1966-2002 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Training and Doctrine Command 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment Joint Task Force Kuwait 2nd Infantry Division V Corps |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Relations | Creighton Abrams |
| Other work | Military analyst, Associated Press |
John Nelson Abrams is a retired United States Army four star general who commanded the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command from 1998 to 2002. He is the son of former Army Chief of Staff Creighton Abrams.
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[edit] Military career
Abrams was born on September 3, 1946 at Fort Knox, Kentucky.[1] He received his commission through Officer Candidate School in 1968, after enlisting as a tank crewman in 1966.[2] His commands have included the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Joint Task Force Kuwait, 2nd Infantry Division, V Corps.[2], and US Army Training and Doctrine Command.
As a young armor officer, Abrams served two years in Vietnam, rising from platoon leader to troop commander. Toward the end of his tour, Abrams commanded an armored cavalry troop in the Mang Yang Pass, where he established such good relations with the Montagnard villagers that a local village chief gave him an elephant. "Isn't that great, Dad?" he asked his father Creighton, who at the time was commander of all U.S. forces in Vietnam. "Well, let me tell you, I knew he was in trouble," Creighton Abrams recounted later. "I asked him if he knew what it meant for a Montagnard village chief to give someone an elephant, and of course he just thought it was a nice thing for the guy to do. Well, sir, I told him in no uncertain terms, 'John, you better pack up and leave that area quick, 'cause you are now engaged to be married to a Montagnard woman. That elephant is a wedding gift!'" John Abrams married Cecilia Bosico in 1969, after a courtship that did not involve an elephant.[3]
Abrams received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bowling Green University, a Master of Science in Public Administration from Shippensburg University, and an honorary Doctorate of Education from Norwich University.[4]
His awards and decorations include the Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit with 2 oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star with "V" device and 3 oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters and the Purple Heart.[2]
[edit] Post military
After retiring, Abrams became a military analyst for the Associated Press.[2] He is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Abrams Learning & Information Systems, Inc., a consulting and technology firm.[4]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ General Officer Anouncement 334-98 June 30, 1998
- ^ a b c d AP Signs Four-Star General for Military Expertise
- ^ Sorley, Lewis (1992), Thunderbolt - From the Battle of the Bulge to Vietnam and Beyond: General Creighton Abrams and the Army of His Times, New York: Simon & Schuster, p. 294-295
- ^ a b ALIS Inc. Management Team
| Preceded by William W. Hartzog |
Commander, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command 1998—2002 |
Succeeded by Kevin P. Byrnes |
