The Oxford Companion to American Military History

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Abrams, Creighton W.

Abrams, Creighton W. (1914–1974), one of the leading American generals of the twentieth century.
From a humble background, in Springfield, Massachusetts, he earned an appointment to West Point in 1932 and graduated in the famous class in 1936 that produced 60 wartime generals. “Abe” Abrams commanded an armored battalion in World War II, and, astride his tank “Thunderbolt,” led the column that relieved American forces in Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge.

Considered the best tactical leader in the army, he was placed in charge of armored forces in Germany during the Berlin Crisis of 1961. He also earned the respect of President John F. Kennedy for his sensitive handling of federal troops in racial disturbances in Alabama. Sent to Vietnam as deputy to General William C. Westmoreland, he succeeded Westmoreland in 1968. Under...

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