William W. Crouch | |
|---|---|
 Crouch in 1997 | |
| Nickname(s) | Bill |
| Born | (1941-07-12)12 July 1941 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | 20 September 2024(2024-09-20) (aged 83) Denver, Colorado, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1963–1998 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army Allied Land Forces Central Europe United States Army Europe Eighth United States Army 5th Infantry Division 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles / wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal (2) |
| Other work | Cole Commission co-chair |
GeneralWilliam Wright Crouch (12 July 1941 – 20 September 2024) was a United States Army four-star general who served asVice Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1997 to 1998.
Crouch was born on 12 July 1941, inLos Angeles, California.[1][2] He attended theSan Diego Army and Navy Academy and graduated fromClaremont Men's College with a degree in Civil Government.[3] He also received a master's degree in history fromTexas Christian University.
Crouch commanded soldiers at every level from platoon through to army. He began his service in 1963 as a cavalry platoon leader in the5th Infantry Division. He went on to command four companies, two of which were cavalry troops in combat. His subsequent commands included a cavalry squadron, the2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 5th Infantry Division.[4] He also served as Commanding General of theEighth United States Army and Chief of Staff United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command andUnited States Forces Korea.
Crouch assumed command ofUnited States Army Europe on 19 December 1994, and assumed command of Allied Land Forces Central Europe (LANDCENT) on February 15, 1996, and was its first American since its establishment in 1993. He served as Vice Chief of staff from 1997 until his retirement in 1998.
Crouch was a graduate of theUnited States Army Command and General Staff College and theUnited States Army War College. His decorations include theDefense Distinguished Service Medal, theArmy Distinguished Service Medal, theSilver Star, theLegion of Merit, and theBronze Star Medal withoak leaf cluster.
Crouch, along with retired AdmiralHarold W. Gehman, Jr., were appointed by Defense SecretaryWilliam S. Cohen on 19 October 2000, as co-chairmen of the Department of Defense'sCole Commission to investigate the bombing of theUSS Cole (DDG-67).[5] He also served on the board of directors of theCommunity Anti-Drug Coalitions of America,[6] and beginning in May 2005 served on the board of Directors ofFLIR Systems.[3] He was also a Senior Mentor with the Leadership Development and Education Program for Sustained Peace at theUnited States Naval Postgraduate School, served on the board of theKeck Institute for International and Strategic Studies atClaremont McKenna College,[3] and sat on the advisory board ofIsilon Systems.[4]
Crouch's wife, Vicki, also a native of Southern California, attendedScripps College, as did their two daughters, Cami and Cathi. They had two grandchildren, Chris and Elizabeth, and resided in Colorado. William W. Crouch died in Denver on 20 September 2024, at the age of 83.[7]
This article incorporatespublic domain material from the United States government
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe 1994–1997 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army 1997–1998 | Succeeded by |
