General Walter Krueger Papers

Identity elements

referentie code

TxAM-CRS 160

Name and location of repository

Beschrijvingsniveau

Collectie

Titel

General Walter Krueger Papers

Datum(s)

  • 1943-1945 (Vervaardig)

Omvang

4 boxes

Naam van de archiefvormer

Biografie

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.

Content and structure elements

Bereik en inhoud

This collection includes copies of administrative orders, field orders, and weekly reports compiled by the staff of the Sixth Army and sent to General Krueger, as well as copies of operation reports sent from General Krueger to the Adjutant General in Washington, D. C. Also included are after-action operation reports concerning the 6th Army.

The administrative orders primarily contain data or amendments to accompany Field Orders and are concerned with supply, evacuation, traffic, service troops, personnel, prisoners of war, and miscellaneous items. Also included are instructions and annexes dealing with captured enemy equipment, individual clothing and equipment, supply, burials and cemeteries, native labor, sanitation, prisoners of war and enemy dead, captured material trophies, air supply circulars, and plans of operation. Maps and sketches are also found among the administrative orders.

The field orders contain data and instructions relating to hostile dispositions and support of operations, task forces, command posts, supplies, and communications. Also included are annexes concerned with staging, loading and embarkation plans, intelligence, artillery and antiaircraft artillery, communications, and engineering. Maps, sketches, and code names are also included in the field orders.

The weekly reports contain intelligence information on enemy activities, terrain, counterintelligence, material and equipment, captured documents and POW interrogations, reclassification of documents, enemy tactics, psychological warfare, and code names and numbers. Also included are photographic coverage reports, sketches, and maps.

The operation reports provide the history of the operation, including organization and operating instructions, plans and preparations, background and terrain, reconnaissance, communication, operations, enemy reaction, engineer activities, captured materials, relations with natives, the recapitulation of casualties, commendations, awards, and decorations, conclusions, credit for success, and lessons learned.

Ordeningstelsel

This collection is arranged into the following series:

  • Series 1, Administrative Orders 1-19, 1943-1945
  • Series 2, Field Orders 1-75, 1943-1945
  • Series 3, Weekly Reports 62-94, 1944-1945
  • Series 4, Operation Reports, 1943-1944
  • Series 5, Historical Reports, 1943-1945

Conditions of access and use elements

Voorwaarden voor raadpleging

Physical access

These materials are stored offsite and require additional time for retrieval.

Technical access

Voorwaarden voor reproductie

Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Languages of the material

  • Engels

Scripts of the material

Taal en schrift aantekeningen

Toegangen

Acquisition and appraisal elements

Geschiedenis beheer

Directe bron van verwerving

Received by repository in 1982.

Aanvullingen

Related materials elements

Bestaan en verblifplaats van originelen

Bestaan en verblijfplaats van kopieën

Related archival materials

The Walter Krueger Papers (1945-1976). 1 box. Held in the United States Military History Institute, Carlisle Barracks, Penn. 17013-5008. It contains two biographical sketches (1945) and correspondence to Krueger (1965) and regarding Krueger from his son and others (1961-1976).

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Alternative identifier(s)

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Regels of conventies

Sources used

Trefwoorden

Onderwerp trefwoord

Geografische trefwoorden

Naam ontsluitingsterm

Genre access points

Voorwaarden voor raadpleging en gebruik

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