General Frederick James Kroesen – husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and great-great grandfather was a rare combination of warrior and writer. He was one of America’s most distinguished and accomplished soldiers, a man of unmatched integrity and honor. During four decades in uniform, General “Fritz” Kroesen was considered by his peers as “indestructible,” participating in four wars – World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Cold War – where he was wounded in each. He wears the Combat Infantryman’s Badge with two stars awarded. He led troops as a platoon and company commander in France and Germany during World War II, as a battalion commander in Korea, as a brigade commander in Vietnam and he commanded the 23d Americal Division in Vietnam. He commanded the 82d Airborne Division in the United States, and the VII Corps in Germany. Wearing four stars, he commanded the U.S. Army Forces Command, served as the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, and completed his active service in 1983, as the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Army Europe and Central Army Group (NATO) for four years of the Cold War.
His awards include the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal (w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster-OLC), Silver Star (w/1 OLC), Legion of Merit (w/2 OLC), Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star (w/Valor and 2 OLC), Air Medal (w/29 OLC), Purple Heart (w/2 OCL), Master Parachute Badge, Officer of Legion of Honor (France: Croix d’Officier de la Legion d’Honneur) and Knight Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit from the Federal Republic of Germany, Korean Presidential Citation, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (3x), the Silvanus Thayer Award at West Point, the Honorary Sergeant Major of the Army Award, the Abrams’ Award from AUSA , the Audie Murphy Award from the American Veterans Center, the Doughboy Award from the Infantry Center, and the Gold Good Citizenship Medal from the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. He was the first graduate of the Officer Candidate School (OCS) to reach the rank of four stars and was inducted in the OCS Hall of Fame. General Kroesen was honored to “take the salute” at Edinburgh Castle, and change the U.S. Flag at the Tomb of the Marquis de Lafayette. He graduated from and became an instructor at the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, PA.
General Kroesen’s education includes a Bachelor of Science, Agriculture, Rutgers University, Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts, International Affairs, George Washington University and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, Rutgers University.
General Kroesen was a Son of the American Revolution, Senior Fellow of the Institute of Land Warfare of the Association of the U.S. Army, U.S. Army War College Alumni Association President (1984-1990), served on the boards of The Army Museum, the American Security Council and Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors, Net Talon Security International, and on the Army Historical Foundation.
While on active duty and during his retirement, into 2019, General Kroesen consistently produced thought-provoking articles and essays for ARMY magazine that reflected his deep and abiding appreciation of the rigors and challenges of infantry combat and his concern for the future of America’s Army and the nation he loved. Using common-sense prose, General Kroesen communicated his insights, and his thoughtful articles on a wide variety of subjects remain as relevant today as when they were first written. The articles, being somewhat autobiographical, reflect an extraordinary soldier who gives us great insight into his life. His book, General Thoughts: 70 Years with the Army, was published in 2003, by AUSA.
General Kroesen was born 11 February 1923 in Philipsburg, New Jersey, to Frederick J. and Jean Kroesen, née Shillinger. Growing up in Trenton, N.J. he was a mounted Boy Scout, winning ribbons at Horse Shows and working in the stables at the N.J. National Guard 112th Field Artillery Battery. General Kroesen never tired of besting the younger generation at play – squash, tennis, softball, ping-pong, golf, chess and cards. He coached Little League Baseball and guided historical tours of battlefields. He supported over a hundred charities. He was in the Advanced ROTC program at Rutgers University and was on Rutgers’ varsity crew. He enlisted and as a Private and was selected to attend the Infantry Officer Candidate School, graduating a 2nd Lieutenant in 1944, before being sent to the war. General Kroesen died peacefully at the age of 97, on April 2020. He is survived by his beloved high school sweetheart and wife of 76 years, Rowene, née McCray, his children Karen and Stephen Klare, Frederick and Ada Kroesen, Gretchen and Kief Tackaberry, 10 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson “Baby Fritz.”
General Kroesen departs this life leaving the world a better place, and his legacy of service to the people of the U.S. and other nations will endure for generations.
Memorial donations may be made to the Army Historical Foundation Army Museum Fund via https://armyhistory.org/individual-giving-programs/tribute-gifts/.
Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Rest eternal grant unto him, O Lord, and may light perpetual shine upon him. Amen.
Offer Condolence for the family of General Frederick J. Kroesen
So very saddened to learn of General Kroesen’s death. I was honored to have been selected by him to be his Aide-de-Camp when he took command of the 82nd Airborne Division in 1972. I learned something new from him every day. Our time in the field and on Nato exercises in Greece will be memories that will stay with me always. And Mrs. Kroesen was the most kind, considerate and dignified lady imaginable. He deserves a high place in heaven!
In 1972 during the Easter Offensive, the General sat with me (just a captain) on a sand bag wall in the citadel in Hue while we eat cold rations. We talked soldier to soldier and I never have forgotten his down to earth approach and steadfastness in those difficult days. Saw him again in Germany in the early 80’s while I was G# of Pershing Missile brigade fielding the PII missile. he remembered our time together however short in Viet Nam. I’m proud to say I knew him.
What an amazing man he was, and I thank him for his service. I am very sorry for your loss and I am sorry America lost a terrific and respected man.
To the Kroesen Family:
It saddened me to learn of the death of General Kroesen. When I was a young Lieutenant assigned to the 793rd MP Battalion in VII Corps in Germany in 1976, my Battalion Commander COL Herbert Langendorff would frequently send me to Stuttgart to attend meetings and do other business. The VII Corps Commander, General Kroesen was always so kind to me and very concerned about my training and development as a junior officer. He was a great General always concerned about his troops. The last time I saw him was in 2004 after the funeral of MG George Patton. General and Mrs. Kroesen invited me into their home and we had a nice visit remembering our experiences in Germany. General Kroesen looked so healthy and in good shape. I told him he is going to live until 100. Well, he almost made it. General Kroesen will always be my favorite General. He lived a very distinguished life and contributed much to his nation. I hope we meet again on the great General Staff in heaven. He certainly earned his place there. My sympathy to his family and may he rest in peace.
I was a Sgt in Americal’s Division HQ in 1971 and was part of the team which briefed the General and his staff twice each day. He was a leader who instilled confidence in those under his command.Having been a combat recon team leader prior to the HQ assignment, it was a great relief to observe a leader who cared deeply for those in harms way. I grieve his passing and honor his memory. One of my most cherished Vietnam photos memorialized General Kroesen shaking my hand as my tour of duty was completed
I have known of General Kroesen for years through following news from Rutgers University Alumni Association. I was so pleased that he was a fellow Rutgers alumnus. I did not know of all his accomplishments until reading news of his death. My condolences to his wife Rowene and to all his family.
All of us who had the opportunity to serve for GEN Kroesen are blessed to have learned from him. He was a no no nonsense leader, a gentleman, and was loved and respected by those in his commands. He established a legacy that will carry forward for generations. God Bless General Kroesen!
We are saddened to hear about your family loss. May the God of all comfort help to ease the pain of your grief. Thinking about you all.
From our founding in 1993, CMR was honored to have the full support of retired Army Gen. Frederick Kroesen, a distinguished and highly-respected military leader. Gen. Kroesen wrote several insightful articles supporting CMR’s position on issues involving women in close combat and the importance of high standards and sound priorities. He was a good friend and I will miss his wise counsel and encouraging messages very much. – Elaine Donnelly, President, Center for Military Readiness
I feel I have lost a friend. General Kroesen was such a great soldier, commander and leader. My husband, Norman, admired his guidance through difficult times while General Kroesen was his “boss” in Germany. I know you will all miss him, but remember the great life he had and remember the good times. Fondly, Ann Archibald
Dear Kroesen Family,
I want you to know how much Gen. Kroesen meant to my family. My father, LTG “Mac” McKnight saw him as a mentor, hero, and close friend. My late mother, Barbara McKnight, treasured the friendship of both General and Mrs. Kroesen. Please know that my sister, Marsha, and I are thinking of your family as you celebrate his life and legacy.
Fondly,
Lynn McKnight Pickard
TUcson, AZ