Abrams was born at
Fort Knox,
Kentucky, on 3 September 1946, the son of General
Creighton Abrams and Julia (Harvey) Abrams. He graduated from
Frankfurt American High School in 1964, and attended
Bowling Green University before deciding to enlist in the
United States Army. Abrams enlisted in the
United States Army on 16 January 1966, and after completion of his initial training, he attended
Officer Candidate School. He graduated on 3 February 1967, with a commission as a
second lieutenant of
Armor. Abrams was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood during its training prior to deploying to
Vietnam. His
Vietnam War combat assignments with the squadron from 1967 to 1969 included platoon leader for B Troop, executive officer for A Troop, commander of A Troop, commander of C Troop, and commander of the squadron's Provisional Rifle Company. ==Education==