Krueger, Walter, 1881-1967

Walter Krueger (1881-1967) was born Flatow, West Prussia. He came to the United States in 1889 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1898. He received his commission in the infantry from the ranks in 1901, and later graduated from the Staff College in Fort Leavenworth in 1907. He served with General Pershing in the punitive expedition to Mexico in 1916 and 1917. He advanced through the ranks to brigadier general in October 1936, and served as commander of the 6th Infantry Brigade from June 1938 to February 1939. He reached the rank of major general in February 1939, and served as commanding general of the 2nd Infantry Division from February 1939 to October 1940, then the VIII Corps from October 1940 to May 1941. He reached the rank of lieutenant general in May 1941, and served as commanding general of Third Army from May1941 to February 1943, then the Sixth Army through the end of World War II. He retired from Army service in July 1946.

Born in Prussia in 1881, emigrated to U.S. and enlisted in Army as a private. He served in the 2nd U.S. Volunteer Infantry in Cuba (1898-99), the 12th Infantry (1899-1901), the 30th Infantry (1901-03) in the Philippines, the 23rd Infantry (1907-08), the 3rd Infantry (1912-14) and the 10th Pa. Infantry (1916) on the Mexican Border. Became 1st Lieutenant (1905), Captain (1916). During World War I he was acting Chief of the 84th Division, Asst. Chief of 26th Division, Chief of the Tank Corps and saw action in France.

He served on the War Dept. General Staff as member of the War Plans Division (1922-25) and was appointed to the Joint Army and Navy Board (1934-38). He commanded the 6th Infantry (1932-34), the 16th Infantry Brigade (1938-39), the 2nd Infantry Division (1939-40), the VIII Corps (1940-41); the Third Army and Southern Defense Command (1941-43). Was distinguished for his strategy and tactics used as commander of the 6th Army in the Southwest Pacific during World War II pushing from Australia to Luzon, Philippines in many successful operations including the Leyte Campaign. Retired as General in 1946 and died in 1967.

Walter Krueger (1881-1967), General in the United States Army and commander of the 6th Army during World War II, military educator, historian and scholar, was born in Flatow, West Prussia (now Zlotow, Poland) 26 January 1881. At the age of eight Krueger moved with his family to the United States. He attended Cincinnati Technical School (1896-1898) in Ohio, and received further education at various military schools and colleges, where he also often served as instructor or professor. He was the author or translater of several books on military history and tactics. After service in both the Spanish-American War and World War I in France, Krueger assumed command (1943) of the United States Army, 6th Army, headquartered in Australia, at the personal request of General Douglas MacArthur. Krueger was promoted to full General (1945) after two years of fighting, in which the 6th Army under General Krueger was the principle striking force in the Southwest Pacific Area, part of the most extensive series of amphibious operations in military history. In 1946 6th Army was deactivated and Krueger retired to San Antonio, Tex. Krueger was married to Grace Aileen Norvell 11 September 1904, and the couple had three children. He died 20 August 1967 in Valley Forge, Penn., and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Walter Krueger (1881-1967), General in the United States Army and commander of the 6th Army during World War II, military educator, historian and scholar, was born in Flatow, West Prussia (now Zlotow, Poland ) 26 January 1881, the son of Julius O. H. Krueger and Anne (Hasse) Krueger. At the age of eight Krueger moved with his family to the United States . He attended Cincinnati Technical School (1896-1898) in Ohio, a preparatory school for technical disciplines such as engineering. Krueger later received further education at various military schools and colleges, where he also often served as instructor or professor. He was the author or translater of several books on military history and tactics.

Krueger's military career began when he enlisted (1898) as a volunteer in the Spanish-American War . After service in Cuba, Krueger enlisted in the United States regular Army as a private. In 1901 he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the 30th Infanty, having served in the Philippines . Krueger graduated from the Infantry-Cavalry School (1903) in Fort Leavenworth, Kan., then from the General Staff College (1907), also at Fort Leavenworth.

After another tour in the Philippines, followed by service in Mexico (1916) with General John J. Pershing, Krueger transferred to France (1918) during World War I, to act as Assistant Chief of Staff of the U. S. Army Infantry, 26th Division . Krueger later served with the 84th Infantry Division, and served as Assistant Chief of Staff with the Tank Corps .

Krueger graduated from the Army War College (1921), remaining as an instructor. In 1926 he graduated from the Naval War College, also teaching there from 1928 to 1932. By 1941, and the entry of the United States into World War II, Krueger had been promoted to temporary Lieutenant General commanding the United States Army, 3rd Army, with headquarters in San Antonio, Tex. .

In 1943 Krueger assumed command of the United States Army, 6th Army, headquartered in Australia, at the personal request of General Douglas MacArthur . Krueger was promoted to full General (1945) after two years of fighting, in which the 6th Army under General Krueger was the principle striking force in the Southwest Pacific Area . Sixth Army thus played a major part in the most extensive series of amphibious operations in the history of the world.

In 1946 6th Army was deactivated and Krueger retired, making San Antonio, Tex. his permanent residence.

Krueger was married to Grace Aileen Norvell 11 September 1904, and the couple had three children. He died 20 August 1967 in Valley Forge, Penn ., and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.