Clayton P. Kerr | |
|---|---|
 Kerr as a major general, circa 1958. | |
| Born | August 16, 1900 Denver, Colorado, US |
| Died | August 13, 1977 (aged 76) Dallas, Texas, US |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1918–1962 |
| Rank |  Major General (Army) Lieutenant General (Texas National Guard) |
| Unit | Texas Army National Guard Army National Guard |
| Commands | 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 I World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army) Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal Hall of Honor |
| Other work | Owner, home building and construction company |
Clayton P. Kerr (August 16, 1900 – August 13, 1977) was a major general in the United States Army. A longtime member of the Texas Army National Guard, he was prominent for his service as deputy commander of the Allied Military Mission to the Italian Army during World War II, and his post-war assignments as commander of the 49th Armored Division and Director of the Army National Guard.
Born in Denver, Colorado and raised and Dallas, Texas, in 1918 joined the Texas National Guard. He quickly advanced through the noncommissioned officer ranks to become sergeant major of the 72nd Infantry Brigade. In 1922, he received his commission as a second lieutenant in the 56th Cavalry Brigade, and he advanced through the ranks in command and staff positions, primarily as a member of the Texas National Guard's 36th Infantry Division.
During World War II, Kerr served in Europe as the 36th Division's inspector general and chief of staff, and later as U.S. Representative to and Deputy Commander of the Allied Military Mission to the Italian Army. After the war he was an original organizer of the 49th Armored Division. In 1958, he became the division commander as a major general, and in 1959 Kerr was selected to serve as 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. In 1964, received a state promotion to lieutenant general as recognition of his accomplishments and years of service.
Kerr died in Dallas in 1977, and was buried at Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery.