William Wright Crouch
General, U.S. Army

William Wright Crouch was born on 12 July 1941 in Los Angeles, CA. He attended the San Diego Army and Navy Academy and graduated from Claremont Men's College with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Government. He holds a Master's Degree in History from Texas Christian University.

Crouch commanded soldiers at every level from Platoon through Army. He began his service in 1963 as a cavalry platoon leader in the 5th Infantry Division. He went on to command four companies, two of which were cavalry troops in combat. His subsequent commands included a cavalry squadron, the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 5th Infantry Division, where he had started as a platoon leader. He also served as Commanding General of the Eighth United States Army and Chief of Staff United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command and United States Forces Korea.

On 19 December 1994, Lieutenant General Crouch assumed command of U.S. Army Europe and assumed command of Allied Land Forces Central Europe (LANDCENT) on 15 February 1996, and was its first American commander since its establishment in 1993. As a General, he served as Vice Chief of Staff from 1997 until his retirement in 1998.

Military Education

GEN Crouch is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College.

Medals, Awards & Badges

Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star Medal
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Medal
Army Achievement Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars
Armed Forces Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star
United Nations Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Army Valorous Unit Award
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Award
Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Armor) William W. Crouch (ASN: 0-99150), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 24 September 1967 in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Crouch distinguished himself while serving as Commanding Officer of F Troop, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. On that date, Captain Crouch, with two platoons of his troop, was conducting a sweep through a suspected enemy location at Quy My village in Quang Tri Province. As they approached the village, Captain Crouch's elements began receiving heavy automatic weapons and recoilless rifle fire. Learning that G Troop was being deployed on his flank, Captain Crouch maneuvered his platoons to a commanding location from which they placed effective fire on the enemy, preventing them from withdrawing. With the arrival of G Troop, Captain Crouch led his unit through the village, digging out and destroying the firmly entrenched enemy forces. Captain Crouch exposed himself to intense hostile fire on numerous occasions as he led his men against the enemy. By his gallant actions and aggressive leadership, Captain Crouch contributed greatly to the destruction of a well equipped North Vietnamese Army unit and the capture of numerous individual and crew-served weapons. Captain Crouch's outstanding display of valor was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, Americal Division, General Orders No. 1595 (December 11, 1967)

Post-Military Life

Crouch, along with retired Admiral Harold W. Gehman, Jr., were appointed by Defense Secretary William S. Cohen on 19 October 2000 as co-chairmen of the Department of Defense's Cole Commission to investigate the bombing of the USS Cole.

He has also served on the board of directors of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, and since May 2005 has served on the board of Directors of FLIR Systems. He is also a Senior Mentor with the Leadership Development and Education Program for Sustained Peace at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, serves on the board of the Keck Institute for International and Strategic Studies at Claremont McKenna College, and sits on the advisory board of Isilon Systems.

Family

Crouch's wife, Vicki, also a native of Southern California, attended Scripps College, as did their two daughters Cami and Cathi. The Crouches have two grandchildren, Christopher William Cronin and Elizabeth Allison Cronin, and reside in Colorado.