Frederick Kroesen

Frederick Kroesen
US Army · Public domain · source
Name	Frederick Kroesen
Birth date	14 February 1923
Birth place	Phillipsburg, New Jersey
Death date	30 April 2020
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Army
Serviceyears	1943–1983
Rank	General
Battles	World War II; Korean War; Vietnam War

Frederick Kroesen was a United States Army four-star general who served as Commanding General of the United States Army Forces Command and as Commander of the U.S. Army Europe and Allied Land Forces Central Europe. A career officer with service across World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, he played senior roles during the late Cold War in NATO and in debates over arms control and forward basing. Kroesen's career intersected with figures including Dwight D. Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur, Omar Bradley, and later leaders such as Caspar Weinberger and Alexander Haig.

Early life and education

Kroesen was born in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, and attended local schools before entering military service during World War II. He trained at Fort Benning and graduated from the United States Military Academy system of officer education programs, later completing advanced study at the Command and General Staff College and the Army War College. His educational background included professional military education that connected him with contemporaries from institutions such as West Point, United States Naval Academy, and the Air War College.

Military career

Kroesen's early commission led to assignments with infantry and armored units, serving in formations linked to the U.S. First Army and the U.S. Third Army. His service record included staff and command positions that brought him into contact with the Department of Defense leadership and major commands such as United States European Command and United States Army Europe. Promotions advanced him through ranks associated with peers promoted under presidents including Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson.

Vietnam War and combat commands

During the Vietnam War Kroesen held combat and advisory roles, commanding units involved with I Corps (South Vietnam), II Corps Tactical Zone, and other corps-level structures. He served alongside commanders like William Westmoreland, Creighton Abrams, and John J. Hennessey and participated in operations that intersected with campaigns such as the Tet Offensive and later counterinsurgency efforts. His combat leadership brought him into coordination with allied national forces from South Vietnam, Australia, and South Korea as part of coalition operations.

NATO and Cold War leadership

Kroesen rose to senior NATO responsibilities, commanding Allied Land Forces Central Europe and later serving as Commander of U.S. Army Europe. In these roles he worked with NATO Secretaries General including Javier Solana and counterparts from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization such as military leaders from West Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, and Belgium. He engaged in strategic planning during tensions with the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact, coordinating with staffs at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and with political leadership from Washington, D.C. including the National Security Council and Secretaries of Defense like Frank Carlucci.

Post-retirement activities and public life

After retirement Kroesen remained active in public life, advising private sector firms and think tanks connected to national security and defense such as the Center for Strategic and International Studies and participating in forums alongside veterans from Vietnam Veterans of America and members of the Council on Foreign Relations. He testified before congressional committees including the United States Senate Armed Services Committee and the United States House Armed Services Committee on force posture, partnering with figures like William Cohen and Sam Nunn on legislative oversight issues. Kroesen also engaged with public debates involving arms control accords such as the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and interacted with policy figures including Ronald Reagan, Mikhail Gorbachev, and George H. W. Bush.

Awards, honors, and legacy

Kroesen received numerous decorations and recognitions associated with senior combat and service, including awards paralleling those held by peers like Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., Colin Powell, and Alexander Haig. His honors and institutional legacy are reflected in affiliations with military museums and academies such as the National Infantry Museum and the United States Military Academy alumni community. Historians and analysts from institutions such as the Heritage Foundation, RAND Corporation, and Brookings Institution have cited his leadership in studies of NATO readiness and Cold War deterrence. His career remains part of the record of U.S. Army leadership during major 20th-century conflicts and the later strategic adjustments of the Cold War era.

Category:United States Army generals Category:1923 births Category:2020 deaths