Louis Aleck Craig Jr.
Major General, U.S. Army

Louis Aleck Craig was born on 29 July 1891 in West Point, NY, the son of Louis Aleck and Georgie Malin Craig. His father was a Colonel in the 32nd U.S. Volunteers Infantry and a Major in the U.S. Army.

Craig attended the U.S. Military Academy and upon his graduation in 1913 was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Cavalry. He had duty in Panama in 1916. In World War I, he was Battery Commander in the 5th Field Artillery, then Assistant Plans and Training Officer at I Corps and 4th Division.

He was Professor of Military Science and Tactics at Harvard 1924-29 and graduated from Command and General Staff School in 1931. He was an Instructor with the Georgia National Guard 1931-33 and graduated from the Army War College in 1939.

In World War II, he was Commanding Officer of 18th Field Artillery 1941-42 and promoted to Brigadier General in February 1942. Served as Commanding General of 72nd Field Artillery Brigade 1942-43 and promoted to Major General in February 1943. Commanding General of 97th Infantry Division, and then XXIII Corps, from 1943-44. He was Commanding General of 9th Infantry Division, then XX Corps, and finally of Third Army, during August 1944-October 1945.

Assignments after the war included Deputy Commanding General of Fifth Army 1946-47 and Inspector General of U.S. Army 1948-52. 

He retired from active duty in May 1952.

Medals and Awards

Army Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star Medal
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal

Personal

His brother, four-star General Malin Craig, was Chief of Staff of the Army from 1935 to 1939.

He was married to Miriam Blount Craig who died on 29 December 1987.

Death and Burial

Major General Louis Aleck Craig died on 3 January 1984. He is buried among other family members in Section 30 of Arlington National Cemetery.