Krueger, Walter, 1881-1967

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Walter Krueger (26 January 1881 – 20 August 1967) was an American soldier and general officer in the first half of the 20th century. He commanded the Sixth United States Army in the South West Pacific Area during World War II. He rose from the rank of private to general in the United States Army.

Born in Flatow, West Prussia, German Empire, Krueger emigrated to the United States as a boy. He enlisted for service in the Spanish–American War and served in Cuba, and then re-enlisted for service in the Philippine–American War. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1901. In 1914 he was posted to the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. His regiment was mobilized on 23 June 1916 and served along the Mexican border. After the United States commenced hostilities with Germany in April 1917, Krueger was assigned to the 84th Infantry Division as its Assistant Chief of Staff G-3 (Operations), and then its chief of staff. In February 1918, he was sent to Langres to attend the American Expeditionary Force General Staff School, and in October 1918, he became chief of staff of the Tank Corps.

Between the wars, Krueger served in a number of command and staff positions, and attended the Naval War College at his own request. In 1941, he assumed command of the Third Army, which he led in the Louisiana Maneuvers. He expected, because of his age, to spend the war at home training troops, but in 1943 he was sent to General Douglas MacArthur's Southwest Pacific Area as commander of the Sixth Army and Alamo Force, which he led in a series of successful campaigns against the Japanese.

As an army commander, Krueger grappled with the problems imposed by vast distances, inhospitable terrain, unfavorable climate, and an indefatigable and dangerous enemy. He balanced the fast pace of MacArthur's strategy with the more cautious approach of managing subordinates who often found themselves confronted by unexpectedly large numbers of Japanese troops. In 1945 at the Battle of Luzon, Krueger faced the Japanese army under Tomoyuki Yamashita and Krueger outmaneuvered his enemies like he had in the 1941 exercises. This was Krueger's largest, longest, and final battle.

Krueger retired to San Antonio, Texas, where he bought a house and wrote From Down Under to Nippon, an account of his campaigns in the Southwest Pacific. His retirement was marred by family tragedies. His son James was dismissed from the army in 1947 for conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. His wife's health deteriorated, and she died of cancer in 1956. His daughter Dorothy stabbed her husband to death in 1952. She was sentenced to life imprisonment by a court-martial, but was freed by the Supreme Court in 1957.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Hugh Morton Photographs and Films, late 1920s-2006, (bulk 1940s-1990s) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. North Carolina Collection.
creatorOf Inventory of the General Walter Krueger Papers Ragan MSS 00077., 1943-1945 Cushing Memorial Library,
creatorOf Krueger, Walter, 1881-1967. The Walter Krueger papers, 1945-1976. U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center
referencedIn New York Times Company records. Arthur Hays Sulzberger papers, 1823-1999 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Minch, Robert F., 1916-. Oral history interview with Robert F. Minch [sound recording], 2007. Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations. 1900 - 2003. Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities. 1947 - 1984. World War II Cemetery Dedication National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Morton, Hugh M. Hugh Morton photographs and films: World War II, 1942-1945 (Series 7). University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Robert L. Eichelberger Papers, 1728-1998, (bulk 1942-1949) David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
referencedIn Records of the Army Staff, 1903 - 2009. Photographs of U.S. and Foreign Military Personnel, Defense Department and Other Government Officials, Royalty, and Heads of State, ca. 1964 - ca. 1974. Krueger, Walter. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Biography -- Krueger, Walter. Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library
referencedIn Records of the Army Staff, 1903 - 2009. Photographs of U.S. and Foreign Military Personnel, Defense Department and Other Government Officials, Royalty, and Heads of State, ca. 1964 - ca. 1974. Krueger, Walter Jr. National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Krueger, Walter. Papers, 1943-1945. Texas A&M University, Evans Library & Annex; Main campus library complex
referencedIn Paramount Pictures, Inc., Collection. 1951 - 1951. Motion Picture Newsreel Films. 10/1941 - 3/1957. PARAMOUNT NEWS [FEB. 6] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Eisenhower, Dwight D.: Papers, Post-Presidential, 1961 - 1969. Photographs. Dwight D. Eisenhower Library
referencedIn John S. D. Eisenhower Papers, 1944 - 1988. Photographs from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Albums. Dwight D. Eisenhower Library
referencedIn Smith, Herbert A., 1901-1989,. Oral history interview with Herbert A. Smith [sound recording], 1982. Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center
referencedIn Records of the Office of War Information, 1926 - 1951. Photographs of Wartime Personalities, 1942 - 1945. Krueger, Walter. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of War Information. 1926 - 1951. Motion Picture Films from "United News" Newsreels. 1942 - 1945. ALLIED FORCES IN ACTION ON INDIA-BURMA FRONTS [ETC.] National Archives at College Park
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, 1860 - 1985. Moving Images Relating to Military Activities, 1947 - 1964. AUSTRALIAN OPERATION, TARAKIN ISLAND OF INDONESIAN BORNEO OFF EAST COAST OF ISLAND, IN CELEBES SEA ; GEN. KRUEGER DECORATES MEN OF THE 38TH DIVISION, MARIKINA, RIZAL PROV., LUZON, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, 5 5/5 9/1945 1945. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, 1860 - 1985. Moving Images Relating to Military Activities, 1947 - 1964. OPERATIONS AT MACTAN ISLAND, CEBU, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ; PHILIPPINE BASE SECTION PRESENTATION OF AWARDS CEREMONY, PORT CUSTOMS BUILDING, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ; SEALING CAVE, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ; GENERALS KRUEGER AND SWIFT VISIT MAJ. GEN. MULLINS, NORTH LUZON, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, 3 4 4/28 6 11/1945 1945 1945 National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations, 1900 - 2003. Black and White and Color Photographs of U.S. Air Force and Predecessor Agencies Activities, Facilities and Personnel - World War II and Korean War, ca. 1940 - ca. 1980. A close-up of the narrow beach at Arawe where American troops landed on New Britain. A close-up of the narrow beach at Arawe where American troops from Lieut. General Walter Krueger's Sixth Army landed on New Britain in a move which threatens (U.S. Air Force Number 3A31536). National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, 1860 - 1985. Moving Images Relating to Military Activities, 1947 - 1964. GEN. KRUEGER VISITS 33RD DIV. AT BAGUIO, LUZON, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, 5/17/1945. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn General Records of the Department of the Navy. 1941 - 2004. Moving Images Relating to Military Activities. 1947 - 1980. USS OMMANEY BAY (CVE-79) BURNS, BOMBARDMENT OF PHILLIPPINES, ACTION IN LINGAYEN GULF National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, 1860 - 1985. Moving Images Relating to Military Activities, 1947 - 1964. JOE E. BROWN VISITS 38TH DIVISION, LUZON, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ; GEN. WALTER KRUEGER VISITS 25TH INFANTRY DIVISION, LUZON, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, 5/11/1945. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, 1860 - 1985. Moving Images Relating to Military Activities, 1947 - 1964. AERIAL VIEWS, CAMP CROWDER, MO ; MAJ GEN CHARLES H. BONESTEEL VISITS CAMP PERSHING, ICELAND ; PRESENTATION OF AWARDS BY LT GEN WALTER KRUEGER TO US SOLDIERS, CAMP CALBE, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Army Staff, 1903 - 2009. Official Military Personnel Files, 1912 - 1998. Official Military Personnel File for Walter Krueger. National Archives at St. Louis
referencedIn General Records of the Department of the Navy. 1941 - 2004. Moving Images Relating to Military Activities. 1947 - 1980. MARINES INVADE CAPE GLOUCESTER, NEW BRITAIN National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, 1860 - 1985. Moving Images Relating to Military Activities, 1947 - 1964. GEN. HENRY H. ARNOLD INTERVIEW, FT. SHAFTER, HAWAII ; GEN. WALTER B. KRUEGER VISITS 11TH AB DIV, LIPA, BANTANGAS PROVINCE, LUZON, 6 6/24 22/1945 1945. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, 1860 - 1985. Moving Images Relating to Military Activities, 1947 - 1964. GEN. WALKER KRUEGER VISITS 11TH AIRBORNE DIV, LIPA, BATANGAS PROVINCE, LUZON, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ; U.S. WAR MANPOWER COMMISSIONER ARRIVES IN, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, 7/20/1945. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, 1860 - 1985. Moving Images Relating to Military Activities, 1947 - 1964. LORD MOUNTBATTEN VISITS GEN. KRUEGER, LUZON, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ; 38TH DIV. MOVES JAPANESE PRISONERS OF WAR, MARINKINA, RIZAL PROV, LUZON, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, 7 7/14 15/1945 1945. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of War Information. 1926 - 1951. Motion Picture Films from "United News" Newsreels. 1942 - 1945. ALLIED DRIVE ON IN ITALY--PLANES SMASH FOE IN AIR [ETC.] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of War Information. 1926 - 1951. Motion Picture Films from "United News" Newsreels. 1942 - 1945. AIR ASSAULT TACTICS [ETC.] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, 1860 - 1985. Moving Images Relating to Military Activities, 1947 - 1964. LT. GEN. WALTER KRUEGER VISITS JUNGLE TRAINING SCHOOL, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA ; COMBINED TRAINING SCHOOL, TOORBUL POINT, AUSTRALIA (?), 3 1/6 16/1943 1943. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, 1860 - 1985. Moving Images Relating to Military Activities, 1947 - 1964. LT GEN WALTER KRUEGER INSPECTS ASSAULT TRAINING CAMP OF 1ST CAVALRY DIV, AUSTRALIA ; FOUR STAR GEN D.D. EISENHOWER IN ENGLAND AFTER TAKING COMMAND OF SHAEF ; EISENHOWER IN BRITAIN ; WELCOME HOME ; GUNS OF MOSCOW. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, 1860 - 1985. Moving Images Relating to Military Activities, 1947 - 1964. GEN. KRUEGER PRESENTS AWARDS, SIXTH ARMY HQ, SAN FERNANDO, LUZON, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ; GEN. DOUGLAS MACARTHUR COMES ASHORE, BALIKPAPAN, BORNEO, NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES, 6 7/30 1/1945 1945. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, 1860 - 1985. Moving Images Relating to Military Activities, 1947 - 1964. PARIS. [No.] 485, US SOLDIER DEMONSTRATION, PARIS FRANCE ; GENERAL WALTER KRUEGER LEAVING SIXTH ARMY ; PARIS. [No.] 501, CROWN JEWELS RESTITUTION, VIENNA, AUSTRIA, 1 1/15 9/1946 1946 National Archives at College Park
Relation Name
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associatedWith 32nd Infantry Division corporateBody
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associatedWith Eichelberger, Robert L., 1886-1961 person
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associatedWith Morton, Hugh M. person
associatedWith Morton, Hugh M. person
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associatedWith Sidney P. Marland person
associatedWith Smith, Herbert A., 1901-1989, person
memberOf United States. Army corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Army, 6th. corporateBody
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associatedWith United States. Army. Office of the chief signal officer. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Office of War Information corporateBody
associatedWith XI Corps corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Valley Forge PA US
Republic of Poland 00 PL
Subject
Communications, Military
Generals
Leyte Gulf, Battle of, Philippines, 1944
Military administration
Military administration
Military engineering
Military engineering
Military intelligence
Military intelligence
Military planning
Military planning
Military reconnaissance
Orders, Preparation of (Military science)
Philippine Sea, Battle of the, 1944 (June 19-21)
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945
Occupation
Army officers
Activity

Person

Birth 1881-01-26

Death 1967-08-20

Male

Americans,

Poles,

Germans

English

Information

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