Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Armor) Creighton Williams Abrams, Jr. (ASN: 0-20296), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of the 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, in action against enemy forces near Assenois, Belgium, on 26 December 1944. On that date Colonel Abrams he led his battle-weary battalion in an assault on a heavily defended town. When the advance was held up by a concealed enemy anti-tank gun, Lieutenant Colonel Abrams went forward in his command tank and destroyed the gun; his example inspiring his men to press on and take the town. Then, heedless of approaching darkness and strong enemy defenses, he brilliantly led his battalion on to a further objective. Lieutenant Colonel Abrams’ extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 4th Armored Division and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Armor)

    Division:

    I, IX & X Corps

    Action Date:

    1953 – 1954
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Armor) Creighton Williams Abrams, Jr. (ASN: 0-20296), United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff, FIRST Corps; Chief of Staff, NINTH Corps, and Chief of Staff, TENTH Corps, from 1953 to 1954.

  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    October 12, 1972 – September 4, 1974
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General Creighton Williams Abrams, Jr., United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 12 October 1972 to 4 September 1974. The distinctive accomplishments of General Abrams reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Division:

    Military Assistance Command, Vietnam

    Action Date:

    May 1967 – December 1967
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 15 (April 8, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to General Creighton Williams Abrams, Jr. (ASN: 0-20296), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Deputy Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, during the period from May 1967 to December 1967.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Division:

    Military Assistance Command, Vietnam

    Action Date:

    February 1967 – April 1967
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 23 (May 29, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to General Creighton Williams Abrams, Jr. (ASN: 0-20296), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Deputy Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, during the period from February 1967 to April 1967.

  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1968 – 1972

    Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General Creighton Williams Abrams, Jr., United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States from 1968 to 1972. The distinctive accomplishments of General Abrams reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    August 1964 – February 1967
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 6 (February 14, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to General Creighton Williams Abrams, Jr. (ASN: 0-20296), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, during the period from August 1964 to February 1967.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Armor)

    Batallion:

    37th Tank Battalion

    Division:

    4th Armored Division

    Action Date:

    September 20, 1944
    Headquarters, THIRD U.S. Army, General Orders No. 92 (November 18, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Armor) Creighton Williams Abrams, Jr. (ASN: 0-20296), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of the 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, in action against enemy forces in the vicinity of Arracourt, France, on 20 September 1944. On that date, two of Colonel Abrams’ tank companies were out-flanked and seriously disorganized by an armored attack of superior forces. Quickly and accurately estimating the situation, Colonel Abrams unhesitatingly attacked the enemy force with his command tank, striking with such ferocity that the enemy was thrown into a state of confusion and his own forces were able to regroup. Lieutenant Colonel Abrams then daringly led his reorganized companies in a frontal assault which resulted in the complete rout of the enemy and the capture of a valuable position with a considerable amount of enemy supplies. His rapid and heroic action, undertaken with great initiative and brilliant leadership, was largely responsible for the successful action and was an inspiration to all who witnessed it. Lieutenant Colonel Abrams’ extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 4th Armored Division, and the United States Army.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Division:

    U.S. Army

    Action Date:

    October 12, 1972 – September 4, 1974
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Creighton Williams Abrams, Jr. (ASN: 0-20296), United States Army, was awarded a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 12 October 1972 to 4 September 1974.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Division:

    Military Assistance Command, Vietnam

    Action Date:

    January 1968 – October 1968
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 80 (December 16, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to General Creighton Williams Abrams, Jr. (ASN: 0-20296), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, during the period from January 1968 through October 1968.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Division:

    U.S. Army

    Action Date:

    October 12, 1972 – September 4, 1974
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Creighton Williams Abrams, Jr. (ASN: 0-20296), United States Army, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 12 October 1972 to 4 September 1974.