Bantz J. Craddock
| Bantz J. Craddock | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Birth name | Bantz John Craddock |
| Born |
August 24, 1949 Parkersburg, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1971–2009 |
| Rank |
 General
|
| Commands held |
U.S. European Command Supreme Allied Commander Europe U.S. Southern Command |
| Battles/wars | Kosovo War |
| Awards |
Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2) Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star Medal Meritorious Service Medal (4) Army Commendation Medal (3) Army Achievement Medal Bundeswehr Cross of Honor in Gold |
| Other work | MPRI, Inc. |
Bantz John Craddock (born August 24, 1949) is a former United States Army general. His last military assignment was as Commander, U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and the NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) as well as the commanding officer of Allied Command Operations (ACO) from December 2006 to June 30, 2009. He also served as Commander, U.S. Southern Command from November 9, 2004 to December 2006. After his retirement in 2009, he was hired by MPRI, Inc., (sometimes called Military Professional Resources, Inc.) to serve as its corporate president.
Craddock was raised in Doddridge County, West Virginia. He graduated from Doddridge County High School in 1967.
Craddock was commissioned as an Armor officer upon graduation from West Virginia University. His initial tour of duty was with the 3rd Armored Division in Germany, followed by an assignment at Fort Knox, Kentucky, as an armor test officer for the U.S. Army Armor and Engineer Board. After completion of the Armor Officer Advanced Course, he was again assigned to the 3rd Armored Division, commanding a tank company in the 1st Battalion, 32nd Armor Regiment.
In September 1981, Craddock was reassigned to the Office of the Program Manager, Abrams Tank Systems in Warren, Michigan, as a Systems Analyst and later as Program Executive Officer. After graduation from the Command and General Staff College, Craddock joined the 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized) in Germany, serving as the Executive Officer of the 4th Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment for two years. He was subsequently reassigned to the Division Headquarters as the Deputy G3, Operations.
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