Major General William R. Kraft, Jr.'s Obituary
William R. Kraft, Jr.
MAJOR GENERAL US ARMY (RET)
Bill Kraft, 91, a retired Major General in the US Army and a longtime Washington area resident, died December 23 at the Falcons Landing Retirement Community in Potomac Falls, VA, after a brief illness.
Bill graduated from West Point in May, 1942, and married Helen Frink, on graduation day. Bill’s graduating class was immediately bound for World War II posts. For Bill, his trip across the English Channel in July, 1944, with the 15th Cavalry, to secure the port at Brest, France, was the most exciting event of his 35 year career in the Army. Soon after, he acted as escort officer for Prime Minister Winston Churchill on his first visit to France after D-Day.
After the war, Bill participated in the occupation in Germany and then, joined by his wife and daughter, moved to Paris to perfect his French for a teaching assignment at West Point. Many years later, after tours to Germany, around the U.S., Saudi Arabia and Viet Nam, he returned to Germany for the last time to command the Seventh Army Troops, then the 3rd Armored Division, and then to serve as Chief of Staff of the US Army, Europe.
In retirement, Bill pursued his interest in military history, exploring U.S. battlefields with his Army buddy, General Frank Clay, in addition to hosting popular battlefield tours for Falcons Landing residents. When not biking, gardening or savoring a good cigar, he enjoyed making needlepoint treasures for his family.
Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Helen Kraft, daughters Betty Rutherford of Pinehurst, NC, daughter Alice Middleton of San Francisco, CA, son Will Kraft II of Forest Hill, MD, 5 grandsons and 6 great grandchildren.
A family memorial and interment will be held privately.
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