Born:
1914
Gen.George S. Patton said of LTC Abrams, "I'm supposed to be the best tank commander in the Army, but I have one peer, Abe Abrams. He's the world's champion."
Abrams was promoted to general in September 1964. He served as deputy commander and later commander of the United States Military Assistance Command in South Vietnam from 1967 through 1972. He replaced GEN William Westmoreland as Army Chief of Staff in 1972, becoming the first Chief of Staff to have held Armor as his basic branch.
General Abrams encouraged company-sized operations involving 150 men of fewer and pulled United States troops back, closer to cities and inhabited areas, to enforce what he called "population control."
Died:
1974
Place of Birth:
Springfield, Mass.
Military University:
West Point
Wars Fought:
-World War II
-Korean War
-Vietnam War 1964-1968
Vietnam War:
Gen.Creighton Abrams was considered by his contemporaries as one of the Army's greatest fighting generals. During World War II, he commanded the 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, that led the Third Army's advance across France and into Germany. He gained a reputation for fearless, aggressive leadership in combat.
