[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 6, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO WALTER W. KRUEGER, A DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN WHO SERVED IN 
              WORLD WAR II AND FOUGHT FOR VETERANS' RIGHTS

                                 ______


                           HON. FRANK TEJEDA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 6, 1996

  Mr. TEJEDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of 
an American soldier, a man who dedicated his life to the defense of the 
freedoms that we enjoy and to the veterans who paid for those freedoms 
with their sacrifice. I respectfully request that the U.S. House of 
Representatives join me in mourning the passage of Walter W. Krueger, a 
man of both vision and action. Having served this Nation for so long, 
Walter Krueger understood the problems of our noncommissioned officers. 
So after his service to this Nation was over, at a time when many hang 
up their uniforms, salute the flag, and retire, Walter Krueger went to 
work for the noncommissioned officers of this Nation. And when Walter 
Krueger went to work, good things happened.
  Mr. Krueger served this Nation honorably in the U.S. Army for 33 
years. When he retired, he was serving as Command Sergeant Major of the 
U.S. Army, Europe [ASAREUR]. He served this Nation all over the world, 
including assignments in Panama, Korea, Europe and Vietnam. During his 
long and very honorable career, he earned the Combat Infantryman's 
Badge and the Distinguished Service Medal.
  While still serving this Nation in Europe, Mr. Krueger was appointed 
to the board of directors of the Noncommissioned Officers Association. 
Upon retirement, he was elected vice president of the association. A 
year later, he became president.
  Walter Krueger's accomplishment as president of the association are 
legendary. The Organization received a Federal Charter from this U.S. 
Congress. The association began its medical trust, which awards funds 
each year to military families who need the assistance. It 
significantly raised the funding for and number of scholarships awarded 
to deserving young people. The NCOA operation appreciation program 
raised funds for equipment to be used by veterans in hospitals. Under 
his leadership, the organization began the NCOA national defense 
foundation, which works to ensure that active duty military enjoy their 
full right to participate in the democracy which they defend. Mr. 
Krueger received every award offered by the association, as is fitting 
for a man who led this organization so well and for so long, a man who 
fought for the rights and benefits due our noncommissioned officers, 
and who took every opportunity to honor and fight for our veterans.
  I respectfully ask that this U.S. House of Representatives note the 
passage of this singular and distinguished American, and that we send 
our deepest condolences to Walter Krueger's wife, Betty Krueger, to his 
mother, Ruth Droes, to his five daughters, Kathy Logan, Karen Pagel, 
Judy Shaw, Pam Salada, and Patty Krueger, to his eight grandchildren, 
and to both his sisters. Walter Krueger was a strong family man, who 
loved this Nation and all that it stands for, who served all of the 
citizens of this country, first as a member of our armed services and 
then as an unparalleled advocate for our veterans. I am proud to call 
him my friend, and I am proud to ask that the House of Representatives 
of the Nation he loved so much take a moment to return to him a little 
of the honor and respect he showed us throughout his life.

                          ____________________