19 Facts About Leon Kromer

Leon Benjamin Kromer was a United States Army officer and American football coach.

From 1934 to 1938, Major General Kromer was the Chief of US Cavalry.

Leon Kromer graduated from West Point in February 1899 and began his service as a commissioned officer in the 10th Cavalry Regiment.

Leon Kromer was then sent to the Philippines until July 1903.

Leon Kromer participated in the Pancho Villa Expedition from March 1916 to February 1917 before being promoted to major in May 1917.

In 1918, Leon Kromer served on the Western Front with the 82nd Division.

Leon Kromer graduated from the United States Army War College in June 1925.

Leon Kromer then taught at the Army War College from August 1928 to September 1931 before becoming assistant commandant of the college until June 1933.

Leon Kromer's tour began with the 1934 field maneuvers involving Adna R Chaffee, Jr.

Analysis of the maneuvers by Leon Kromer's staff indicated that he seriously considered "marrying machine with the horse".

Only nine of 512 paged in this book were dedicated to mechanization, yet there is evidence that Leon Kromer shared the opinion that if US Cavalry did not mechanize it would disappear as a branch.

Leon Kromer was dissatisfied with the growing organizational rift between horse and mechanized elements of US Cavalry, and redesigned the structure to close the gap.

Leon Kromer endorsed expansion of mechanized units at Fort Knox although shortage of funds ruled out any massive changes.

Leon Kromer was replaced by John Knowles Herr in March 1938.

Leon Kromer retired in June 1938 and settled in Northfield, Vermont.

From January to September 1941, Leon Kromer briefly returned to active duty in the Army.

Leon Kromer died in 1966 at a nursing home in Germantown, Maryland.

Leon Kromer was buried at West Point Cemetery in West Point, New York.

Leon Kromer's oldest son, John S Kromer, was a West Point graduate who became an Episcopal clergyman.