Kenneth Althaus

Kenneth George Althaus Sr. (June 13, 1895 – June 9, 1987) was a Brigadier general in the United States Army during World War II. A veteran of several campaigns of World War I, he was first involved with armored forces of the United States Army from late 1920s and later commanded several early tank units including 759th Tank Battalion or 11th Armored Regiment.

Althaus rose to the general's rank and distinguished himself as Commander, Combat Command A, 10th Armored Division during Battle of Metz within Lorraine campaign. He was relieved of command due to medical reasons in mid-December 1944 and returned to the United States for training assignment. Althaus completed his career as Commandant, Tank Destroyer School, Camp Hood, Texas.

Early career Kenneth G. Althaus was born on June 13, 1893, in Cincinnati, Ohio as the son of William V. Althaus and his wife Hanna. His father worked as a carpenter and was of swiss descent. He graduated from the Hughes High School in Cincinnati in May 1913 and enrolled the Queen City College (predecessor of the University of Cincinnati). Althaus entered the Ohio National Guard on August 7, 1916 as second lieutenant and was assigned to the Company F, 1st Ohio Infantry at Camp Sherman, Ohio. He assumed command of his company shortly thereafter and was promoted to first lieutenant on December 15, 1916 and to Captain on June 27, 1917.

Following the American entry into World War I, Althaus' unit was called up for Federal service and transformed into Company F, 147th Infantry Regiment, a part of 37th Division. He was mustered into Federal service as Captain and transferred to the headquarters company of 145th Infantry Regiment, also a part of 37th Division. Althaus served as Regimental Assistant Adjutant, participating in the training in Cincinnati, Ohio and Montgomery, Alabama. He was promoted to Assistant Operations Officer (G-3) in the headquarters of 37th Division under Major general Charles S. Farnsworth and embarked for France in June 1918.

While in that capacity, Althaus took part in the combat operations against German forces in Baccarat Defensive sector, Meuse–Argonne offensive, Saint-Mihiel, Ypres-Lys offensive, and Escaut River offensive and received French Croix de Guerre with Palm and Belgian War Cross.

Following the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States entry into World War II, Althaus was ordered to the Army Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and assumed duty as an Instructor of tactics. He was promoted to the temporary rank of Colonel on December 24, 1941. Althaus remained at Fort Sill until October 1942, when he was transferred to Fort Knox, Kentucky as Assistant Combat Commander of Combat Commander "E" at the Armored Force School.

In January 1943, Althaus became Commanding officer, 11th Armored Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia. He led his regiment during the maneuvers in Tennessee Maneuver Area in early summer of that year and was promoted to the rank of Brigadier general on June 24, 1943. He subsequently joined the 10th Armored Division under Major general Paul Newgarden and assumed duty as Commander of Combat Command A.

Unfortunatelly he was relieved of command due to his physical condition and exhaustion on December 15, 1944. Althaus suffered from arthritic shoulder for several months and did not disclose his condition to Army doctors. Once overseas his condition was getting worse until he was unable to command his troops. Althaus returned to the United States in early February 1945 and spent several weeks in Walter Reed Army Hospital.

In April 1945, Althaus was transferred to the Armored School and Armored Replacement Training Center at Fort Knox, Kentucky where he became Commanding General of the School Troops under Major general Charles L. Scott. During the July that year, Althaus was ordered to the Camp Hood, Texas where he replaced Brigadier general Miles A. Cowles as Commandant of the Tank Destroyer School. Althaus held this assignment until March 31, 1946 when he retired from active duty after 30 years of service.

Later life Following his retirement from the Army, Althaus and his family moved to Florida where he served as a Superintendent of Silver Springs grounds between 1951-1961. He then retired to Ocala, Florida where he became an oil painter and was active in the Episcopal Church.

Brigadier general Kenneth G. Althaus died on June 8, 1987, aged 91, at his home in Ocala and was buried at Grace Episcopal Memorial Gardens together with his wife, Virginia Frances Herty Althaus (1898-1995). They had one son, Kenneth G. Althaus Jr. (1922-2006) who also served in the U.S. Army and retired as Colonel.

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Brigadier general Althaus:

1st RowBronze Star MedalWorld War I Victory Medal with four battle claspsArmy of Occupation of Germany Medal 2nd RowAmerican Defense Service MedalAmerican Campaign MedalEuropean-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two 3/16 inch service stars3rd RowWorld War II Victory MedalBelgian Croix de GuerreFrench Croix de Guerre 1914-1918 with Palm