Frederick J. Kroesen, Jr. | |
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Kroesen as Vice Chief of Staff of the Army |
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Born | February 11, 1923 Phillipsburg, New Jersey |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/branch | United States Army |
Years of service | 1943-1983 |
Rank | General |
Commands held | Forces Command U.S. Army Europe Seventh Army 23rd Infantry Division 82nd Airborne Division |
Battles/wars | World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
Awards | Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit (3) Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star with "V" (3) Purple Heart (3) Air Medal (30) |
Other work | Chairman, Military Professional Resources Inc |
Frederick James Kroesen, Jr. (born February 11, 1923)[1] is a United States Army four star general and was the Commanding General of the Seventh United States Army and the commander of NATO Central Army Group from 1979 to 1983, and Commanding General, United States Army Forces Command from 1976 to 1978. He also served as Vice Chief of Staff of the Army from 1978 to 1979.
Kroesen is a graduate of Rutgers University. He earned an M.A. in International Affairs at George Washington University. He commanded troops in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal. He also served as the Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army.
After leaving the army, Kroesen became a businessman.[2] He is currently chairman of the board of Military Professional Resources Inc. and a senior fellow at the Institute of Land Warfare of the Association of the United States Army. He is additionally the Vice-President of the American Security Council Foundation.
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General Kloesen fought in WWII with the 254th Infantry Regiment of the 63rd Infantry Division. He was a company grade officer, serving as platoon leader and company commander, in the fighting in the Colmar Pocket and into Germany. He participated in the particularly tough fighting in Jebsheim.
General Kroesen was injured in Heidelberg on September 15, 1981, when his armoured Mercedes was targeted with a RPG-7 anti-tank rocket. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by the "Kommando Gudrun Ensslin" of the Red Army Faction (aka Baader-Meinhof Gang).[3][4]
Combat Infantryman Badge, third award | |
Master Parachutist Badge | |
German Parachutist Badge | |
Army Staff Identification Badge | |
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge |
Military offices | ||
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Preceded by Gen. Walter T. Kerwin, Jr. |
Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army 1978 – 1979 |
Succeeded by Gen. John William Vessey, Jr. |
Preceded by George S. Blanchard |
Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe May 29, 1979 to April 15, 1983 |
Succeeded by Glenn K. Otis |
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