Kenneth F. Cramer (October 3, 1894 – February 20, 1954) was an American politician and United States Army major general who served as Chief of the National Guard Bureau.

Early life and education

Kenneth Frank Cramer was born in Gloversville, New York, on October 3, 1894.William R. Denslow, [https://books.google.com/books?id=ZvBjhJr9Ev0C&dq=%22kenneth+f+cramer%22+born+1894+gloversville&pg=PA261 10,000 Famous Freemasons From A To J] Part One, 2004, p. 261 He graduated from Princeton University in 1916, and received his master's degree in 1917.J. T. White, [https://books.google.com/books?id=sDgOAQAAMAAJ&q=%22kenneth+f+cramer%22+princeton+1916+1917 The National Cyclopædia of American Biography], Volume 45, 1962, p. 292 In 1938, he completed the United States Army Command and General Staff College and was his class Honor Graduate.Hartford Courant, [https://archive.today/20130630050307/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/848660142.html?dids=848660142:848660142&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Mar+14,+1939&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=K.+F.+Cramer+Is+Promoted+In+Regiment&pqatl=google K. F. Cramer Is Promoted In Regiment], March 14, 1939

Career

=World War I=

Cramer enlisted in the United States Army for World War I and completed officer training in 1917.Thomas Edison Troland, Princeton Alumni Weekly, [https://books.google.com/books?id=iRJbAAAAYAAJ&dq=%22kenneth+f.+cramer%22+officer+training+1917&pg=RA1-PA4 In Time of Peace: General Cramer '16 prepared for war as Connecticut National Guardsman], November 10, 1944 He served in France during World War I, primarily with the 310th Infantry Regiment, a unit of the 78th Infantry Division. His service included combat during the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne campaigns, and he was wounded and taken prisoner. He recuperated in a German hospital, and was released at the end of the war.310th Infantry Association, [https://books.google.com/books?id=j7FBAAAAYAAJ&dq=%22kenneth+f+cramer%22+310th+infantry&pg=PA186 A History of the Three Hundred Tenth Infantry, Seventy-eighth Division], 1919, pages 24, 61, 117, 165, 186, 217, 224, 239, 264Hartford Courant, [https://archive.today/20130630043657/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/888905712.html?dids=888905712:888905712&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Apr+03,+1952&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Cramer+Visits+Scene+Of+His+Imprisonment&pqatl=google Cramer Visits Scene Of His Imprisonment], April 3, 1952

=Post-World War I=

After the war, he maintained his membership in the Army Reserve and in 1931 transferred to the Connecticut Army National Guard as a captain, accepting a demotion from major in order to command a newly organized tank company.Hartford Courant, [https://archive.today/20130630043521/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/816865912.html?dids=816865912:816865912&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Apr+18,+1931&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Cramer+Made+Commander+Of+Tank+Co.&pqatl=google Cramer Made Commander Of Tank Co.], April 18, 1931

Cramer continued to advance through the ranks, and his assignments in Connecticut included: Plans, Operations and Training Officer, S3 for the 169th Infantry Regiment; Commander of 3rd Battalion, 169th Infantry Regiment; and Assistant Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard.Hartford Courant, [https://archive.today/20130630043331/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/843439782.html?dids=843439782:843439782&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Mar+03,+1938&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Officers+Are+Reassigned+For+169th&pqatl=google Officers Are Reassigned For 169th], March 3, 1938Hartford Courant, [https://archive.today/20130630040706/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/849448602.html?dids=849448602:849448602&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jul+28,+1939&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Cramer+Gets+High+Position+In+Military&pqatl=google Cramer Gets High Position In Military: Wethersfield Man Named Assistant Adjutant General of National Guard by Governor Baldwin], July 28, 1939

= Connecticut Legislature =

He resided in Wethersfield, Connecticut, and in his civilian career he worked in the coal business, eventually becoming owner and operator of Hartford's K.F. Cramer Coal Company.Hartford Courant, [https://archive.today/20130630041505/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/896103802.html?dids=896103802:896103802&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Apr+01,+1946&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=General+Cramer+Back+Home+From+Service+In+Army&pqatl=google General Cramer Back Home From Service In Army], April 1, 1946 Cramer served on the Wethersfield School Board from 1927 to 1937.Hartford Courant, [https://archive.today/20130630042359/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/851273622.html?dids=851273622:851273622&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jun+15,+1937&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Cramer+Quits+Wethersfield+School+Board&pqatl=google Cramer Quits Wethersfield School Board], June 15, 1937 He was a member of the Connecticut House (1929–1933) and Senate (1933–1937), and was a delegate to several Republican conventions.Harley Kilgore, Congressional Record, [https://books.google.com/books?ei=Jr1_Ua23HcrE0QHdp4HgBg&id=tWaS7nw877QC&dq=%22kenneth+f+cramer%22+connecticut+house+representatives&q=%22kenneth+f+cramer%22 Remarks on the Passing of the Late Major General Kenneth F. Cramer], Volume 100, Part 3, pp. 3373–3374Republican National Convention, [https://books.google.com/books?id=64sMAQAAIAAJ&q=%22kenneth+f+cramer%22+republican+convention Official report of the Proceedings], 1936, p. 54

=World War II=

He was a colonel and commander of the 169th Infantry Regiment when he mobilized for World War II with New England's 43rd "Winged Victory" Division. He was soon transferred to the Pacific-bound 24th Infantry Division to become Assistant Division Commander and was promoted to brigadier general.Hartford Courant, [https://archive.today/20130630042613/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/857913922.html?dids=857913922:857913922&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Nov+03,+1940&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Cramer+Is+Col.+Nolan's+Successor&pqatl=google Cramer Is Col. Nolan's Successor: Promoted and Assigned as 169th Commander], November 3, 1940United States Field Artillery Association, [https://books.google.com/books?id=NWRNAQAAIAAJ&q=%22kenneth+f+cramer%22+24th+infantry+division The Field Artillery Journal], Volumes 37–38, 1947, p. 237

Cramer took command of the 24th Division in 1945 and was promoted to major general.Victor W. Man, W. Victor Madeja, [https://books.google.com/books?id=R_rkAAAAMAAJ&q=%22kenneth+f+cramer%22+24th+infantry+division+commander U. S. Army Order of Battle, Pacific Theater, 1941–1945], 1984, p. 25

=Post-World War II=

After the war, Cramer was assigned as commander of the 43rd Division.Associated Press, Meriden Record [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uv5HAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ov8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5033,3787349&dq=kenneth-cramer+43rd+division&hl=en 43rd to Train at Camp Edwards], May 15, 1947 In 1947 he was appointed Chief of the National Guard Bureau, and assistant division commander Reginald W. Buzzell was appointed to serve as acting division commander.Hartford Courant, [https://archive.today/20130630040934/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/876004922.html?dids=876004922:876004922&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Sep+24,+1947&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Gen.+Cramer+To+Take+Oath+September+30&pqatl=google Gen. Cramer To Take Oath September 30], September 24, 1947Associated Press, New York Times, [https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0F1EFC3A5A147B93CAAB178DD85F438485F9 Made National Guard Head To Succeed Miltonberger], June 28, 1947{{cite news |date=December 4, 1947 |title=Brig. Gen. Buzzell to be Appointed Commander of 43rd Division |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85222911/buzzell-commander/ |work=Montpelier Evening Argus |location=Montpelier, VT |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Cramer's tenure was highlighted by a feud with the Director of the newly formed Air National Guard, Major General George Finch, over the role the National Guard Bureau would play in the Air Guard's operations. The recently organized United States Air Force viewed the National Guard Bureau as providing purely administrative functions, while Cramer viewed NGB's (and the NGB Chief's) role as a more direct policy-making and oversight one. Finch argued for Air Force control of the Air National Guard, putting him at odds with Cramer. The feud reached a high point in 1949 when Cramer dismissed Finch without consulting the Air Force leadership. (Cramer later reinstated Finch.)Associated Press, Pittsburgh Press, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eFwbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TE0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=4296,1244415&dq=kenneth-cramer+finch&hl=en Generals feud in National Guard], October 2, 1949Associated Press, New York Times, [https://www.nytimes.com/1949/10/03/archives/general-is-ousted-in-national-guard-finch-is-expelled-as-air-chief.html General is Ousted in National Guard: Finch Is Expelled as Air Chief by Cramer, Then Reinstated as High Officials Intervene], October 3, 1949Austin Stevens, New York Times, [https://www.nytimes.com/1949/12/03/archives/inquiry-is-ordered-in-guard-squabble-army-and-air-secretaries-ask.html Inquiry is Ordered in Guard Squabble: Army and Air Secretaries Ask for Full Report on Military Struggle for Power], December 3, 1949

In 1950, the Miltonberger Board, which was formed to review the National Guard Bureau's structure and policies, largely validated Cramer's view by recommending that the National Guard Bureau remain in the Air National Guard's chain of authority, with the NGB Chief exercising responsibility for both the Army and Air National Guards. The board also recommended the creation of a Deputy Chief of the National Guard Bureau position, to be filled by a major general of the opposite service from the Chief, who could provide advice and subject matter expertise to the Chief. Both recommendations were adopted.Associated Press, Palm beach Post, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XPwsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5swFAAAAIBAJ&pg=980,6364990&dq=miltonberger+board&hl=en New Board Named to reorganize national Guard]{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, February 26, 1950Charles Joseph Gross, [https://books.google.com/books?id=hALj7fhvXyMC&dq=miltonberger+board+national+guard+recommendations&pg=PA49 Prelude to the Total Force: Air National Guard, 19431969], 1984, pp. 49–51

The feud ended when Finch was reassigned as senior Air Force member of the team which negotiated the treaty that ended the Korean WarGeorgia National Guard, The Georgia Guardsman, Maj. Gen. George Finch, Georgia Air Guard Pioneer, January–March, 1986, p. 1 and Cramer also requested a new assignment. Cramer was succeeded as NGB Chief by Raymond H. Fleming.Hartford Courant, [https://archive.today/20130630041708/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/886183042.html?dids=886183042:886183042&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Sep+06,+1950&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Cramer+Ends+His+Duties+As+Guard+Bureau+Head&pqatl=google Cramer Ends His Duties As Guard Bureau Head], September 6, 1950

=Korean War=

In 1950, Cramer commanded the 43rd Division when it was federalized for service in West Germany during the Korean War.Hartford Courant, [https://archive.today/20130630041058/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/886226242.html?dids=886226242:886226242&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Sep+26,+1950&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Cramer+Tells+43d+It+Must+Be+Trained+For+The+Ultimate&pqatl=google Cramer Tells 43d It Must Be Trained For The Ultimate], September 26, 1950Christian Science Monitor, [https://archive.today/20130630041312/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/csmonitor_historic/access/278614142.html?dids=278614142:278614142&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Jul+30,+1951&author=&pub=Christian+Science+Monitor&desc=N.E.+National+Guard+Division+Is+Given+Realistic+Training&pqatl=google N.E. National Guard Division Is Given Realistic Training], July 30, 1951

During the division's mobilization at Fort Pickett, Virginia, Cramer was the target of protest by wives who objected to his insistence that soldiers stay on post each night, rather than spending nights with their families off post. In addition, he was investigated over concerns that his disciplinary measures in Germany were too harsh and had a negative effect on unit morale.Hartford Courant, [https://archive.today/20130630041510/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/889138422.html?dids=889138422:889138422&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jun+04,+1951&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Morano+Asks+Pickett+Probe,+Possibly+Cramer's+Removal&pqatl=google Morano Asks Pickett Probe, Possibly Cramer's Removal], June 4, 1951Hartford Courant, [https://archive.today/20130630044524/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/887567742.html?dids=887567742:887567742&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jul+02,+1953&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Cramer's+Rules+Arouse+Ire+Of+Men,+Reports+Say&pqatl=google Cramer's Rules Arouse Ire Of Men, Reports Say], July 2, 1953 Cramer argued that requiring soldiers to remain on post during mobilization was necessary to improve readiness and cohesion by maximizing training time and that his actions in Germany were an effort to curtail black market activities. Although accused of being a martinet, Cramer was not found to be at fault.Robert C. Ruark, Hartford Courant, [https://archive.today/20130630040600/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/884908602.html?dids=884908602:884908602&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+08,+1953&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc='Political+General'+Charge+Is+Denied+By+Cramer&pqatl=google 'Political General' Charge Is Denied By Cramer], October 8, 1953

In 1952, he relinquished command of the 43rd Division in order to take command of the Southern Area Command in Germany, a subordinate unit of United States Army Europe, and he served in this assignment until his death.Hartford Courant, [https://archive.today/20130630044527/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/901265002.html?dids=901265002:901265002&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Sep+28,+1953&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Passion+For+Discipline+Marks+Gen.+Cramer's+Military+Career&pqatl=google Passion For Discipline Marks Gen. Cramer's Military Career], September 28, 1953

Death and burial

Cramer died of a heart attack on February 20, 1954, while hunting near Heidelberg, Germany.Hartford Courant, [https://archive.today/20130630041718/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/888704202.html?dids=888704202:888704202&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Feb+22,+1954&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Munich+Rites+For+Cramer+On+Thursday&pqatl=google Munich Rites For Cramer On Thursday: Burial of General To Take Place in Arlington Cemetery], February 22, 1954 He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.[https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/#/arlington-national/search/results/1/CgZjcmFtZXISB2tlbm5ldGgaAWY-/ Burial Detail: Cramer, Kenneth F (Section 30, Grave 614)] – ANC Explorer

At the time of his death Cramer had completed doctoral studies at the University of Munich and had submitted his dissertation.James Terry White, [https://books.google.com/books?id=lRjYAAAAMAAJ&q=%22cramer+kenneth+frank%22+dissertation The National cyclopaedia of American biography], 1967, p. 282

Awards and decorations

Cramer's awards included the Silver Star (four awards), Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Purple Heart.Connecticut House of Representatives, Journal of the House of Representatives, [https://books.google.com/books?id=9-7NAAAAMAAJ&q=%22kenneth+frank+cramer%22+silver+star+bronze+star+legion+merit+air+medal+purple+heart Senate Joint Resolution 39 on the Passing of Kenneth F. Cramer], 1955, p. 835

Legacy

Cramer's sister Beatrice endowed a scholarship in his name at the State University of New York at Cortland. The Kenneth Frank Cramer Scholarship is awarded annually to the top female applicant from Gloversville High School.Academic Works, [https://cortland.academicworks.com/opportunities/137 Information page, Kenneth Frank Cramer Scholarship]{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, accessed April 30, 2013