Joseph Cranston

In 1920 Joseph Cranston was a lieutenant in the US Army at Fort Benning, Georgia. He had one pro bout, winning by KO over Larry Avera on 8 December 1920 at Fort Benning. Cranston became a career military man, reaching the rank of brigadier general in 1943 and was eventually buried at Arlington National Cemetery. He served as an instructor at West Point from 1922-26, and was then an aide to the Commanding General of the Philippine Department from 1926-28, before returning to West Point until 1933.

Cranston graduated from the Command and General Staff School in 1935 and the Army War College in 1938. He was with the War Department General Staff from 1940-42, was a staff officer with the Army Ground Forces in 1942-43, and worked in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations 1944-1945. Cranston retired in July 1948. His decorations included the Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star and Commendation Ribbon.