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.

From the description of Krueger, Walter, 1881-1967 (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration). naId: 10614477

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.

From the description of The Walter Krueger papers, 1945-1976. (US Army, Mil Hist Institute). WorldCat record id: 23714042