later that month. Kramer briefly commanded the 86th Infantry Division in the Philippines during mid-1946, and retired at the end of 1946. In retirement, Kramer resided in San Antonio, Texas, where he worked as field supervisor for the Government Personnel Mutual Life Insurance Company and was a member of the San Antonio River Authority board of directors. He died at Fort Sam Houston's Brooke Army Medical Center on October 20, 1964. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Early life Herman Frederick Kramer was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on November 27, 1892, a son of German immigrant Franz (Frank) Kramer and Sophia (Rodenspiel) Kramer, a first generation American whose parents were from Germany. Kramer grew up speaking and reading German and English. He attended the public schools of Lincoln and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1909. In July 1910, Kramer enlisted as a private in the Nebraska National Guard's 5th Infantry Regiment. He was promoted to sergeant the following October, and in December 1912 he received his commission as a second lieutenant. In August 1914, he was promoted to captain as the regiment's inspector of small arms practice. After high school, Kramer attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. At college, he was a member of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity and the Pershing Rifles. The university maintained a corps of cadets, which Kramer commanded with the rank of student colonel. He was also president of the cadet officers' club. Kramer graduated in 1914 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. After graduation, Kramer continued to serve in the National Guard while working as a partner in his father's construction company. His professional memberships included the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Start of career In June 1916, Kramer accepted reduction in rank to first lieutenant and reassignment from his inspector's position to serve with his regiment on federal active duty during the Pancho Villa Expedition. He served with the 5th Nebraska Infantry at Camp Llano Grande near Mercedes, Texas while the unit performed security patrols along the Mexico–U.S. border. The regiment returned to Nebraska in February 1917 and was discharged from active duty. With the army expanding in anticipation of U.S. entry into World War I, in March 1917, Kramer received a commission as a second lieutenant of Infantry in the Regular Army, and was assigned to the 40th Infantry Regiment at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. During the war, he