Clayton P. Kerr

Clayton P. Kerr
Born (1900-08-16)August 16, 1900
Denver, Colorado
Died August 13, 1977(1977-08-13) (aged 76)
Dallas, Texas
Buried at Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery
Allegiance United StatesUnited States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1918–1962
Rank Major General
Unit Texas Army National Guard
Army National Guard
Commands held 2nd Battalion, 144th Infantry Regiment
Combat Command B, 49th Armored Division
49th Armored Division Artillery
49th Armored Division
Army National Guard
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal

Clayton P. Kerr (August 16, 1900 – August 13, 1977) was a United States Army Major General who served as commander of the 49th Armored Division and Director of the Army National Guard.

Early life

Clayton Price Kerr was born in Denver, Colorado on August 16, 1900. He was raised and educated in Dallas, Texas, and in March 1919 was scheduled to take the entrance examination for the United States Military Academy.[1] Instead he joined the National Guard as a member of Headquarters Troop, 6th Texas Cavalry in September, 1919.[2] He quickly advanced through the noncommissioned officer ranks, and became Sergeant Major of the 72nd Infantry Brigade.[3]

In 1921 he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the 56th Cavalry Brigade. He advanced through the ranks in command and staff positions, primarily with the 36th Infantry Division. His commands included Company E, 144th Infantry Regiment and 2nd Battalion, 144th Infantry.[4]

In his civilian career Kerr became the owner and operator of a home construction and contracting business.[5]

World War II

Kerr served with the 36th Division during the North African and Italian campaigns, initially as Inspector General and later as Chief of Staff.[6][7] In February 1944, he was assigned as the United States Representative and Deputy Commander of the Allied Military Mission to the Italian Army.[8][9]

Post World War II

Kerr was one of the original officers who formed the Texas Army National Guard’s 49th Armored Division. Among his assignments with the division was Commander of Combat Command B, and Commander of the Division Artillery.[10][11] He was promoted to Brigadier General in 1947.[12]

In 1958 Kerr was appointed Commander of the 49th Armored Division as a Major General.[13]

National Guard Bureau

In October, 1959 Kerr was named Chief of the Army Division (now Director of the Army National Guard) at the National Guard Bureau. He served in this position until his 1962 retirement.[14][15]

Military education

Kerr completed the Army officer courses for Infantry, Field Artillery and Air Defense Artillery. In addition, he was a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College.[16]

Awards and decorations

Kerr’s awards include: the Distinguished Service Medal; two awards of the Legion of Merit; and Bronze Star Medal.[17]

His foreign decorations included: Officer of the Order of the British Empire; Grand Commander, Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus (Italy); War Cross for Military Valor (Italy); Grand Officer of the Order of the Crown of Italy; War Merit Cross (Italy); and Knight Commander of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (Italy).[18]

In 1964 Governor John Connally recognized Kerr’s long years of dedicated service with a state promotion to Lieutenant General.[19]

Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit, twice
Bronze Star Medal
Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Grand Commander of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus (Italy)
War Cross for Military Valor (Italy)
War Merit Cross (Italy)
Grand Officer of the Order of the Crown of Italy
Knight Commander of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (Italy)

Death and burial

Kerr died in Dallas on August 13, 1977.[20][21] He is buried at Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Dallas.[22]

References

  1. United States Committee on Public Information, Official Bulletin, List of Candidates Appointed for West Point Entrance Examination, March 14, 1919, page 7
  2. A.N. Marquis Company, The Monthly Supplement: A Current Biographical Reference Service, Volumes 7-8, 1946, page 213.
  3. United Press International, Brownsville Herald, New Guard Commander Appointed, October 26, 1958
  4. Breckenrdge American, Armory Dedication Speaker, February 17, 1957
  5. Brownsville Herald, New Guard Commander Appointed, October 26, 1958
  6. Robert L. Wagner, The Texas Army: A History of the 36th Division in the Italian Campaign, 1972, pages 48, 126
  7. Army, Navy, Air Force Journal, M/G Kerr Will Head Army Division of National Guard Bureau, Volume 97, Issues 1-26, 1959, page 164
  8. Milton Bracker, New York Times, Italian Students Join Arms Appeal, January 19, 1945
  9. New York Times, German Bridgehead Across Senio in Italy Is Wiped Out as Enemy Scores Elsewhere, January 20, 1945
  10. Kerrville Mountain Sun, Kerrville National Guard battery Preparing for Annual Maneuvers, June 28, 1951
  11. Paris News, Photo Caption: The General Inspects, December 11, 1956
  12. New York Times, Truman Names 24 Regular Generals, February 6, 1947
  13. United Press International, Galveston Daily News, Kerr Named Head of Texas Guard, October 27, 1958
  14. San Antonio Light, Kerr in Guard Post, October 22, 1959
  15. San Antonio Light, Gen. Kerr Ends Career, September 6, 1962
  16. United Press International, Brownsville Herald, New Guard Commander Appointed, October 26, 1958
  17. Dallas Morning News, Clayton Kerr, Ex-Assistant Chief of National Guard Bureau, Dies, August 14, 1977
  18. Fort Hood Armored Sentinel, General Kerr is Storybook Commander, June 12, 1959
  19. National Guard Association of the United States, The National Guardsman, Volume 18, 1964, page 38
  20. Social Security Death Index, entry for Clayton Price Kerr, accessed May 20, 2013
  21. Texas Death Index, 1903-2000, entry for Clayton Price Kerr, accessed May 20, 2013
  22. Clayton Price Kerr at Find A Grave, accessed May 20, 2013

External links

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