The Patriot Files Forums  

Go Back   The Patriot Files Forums > Veterans > Veterans Memorials

Post New Thread  Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-05-2019, 06:37 AM
Boats's Avatar
Boats Boats is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sauk Village, IL
Posts: 21,784
Arrow World War II Army pilot laid to rest 75 years after fatal crash

World War II Army pilot laid to rest 75 years after fatal crash
By: The Associated Press 5-5-19
RE: https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/y...r-fatal-crash/

Photo link: https://www.armytimes.com/resizer/Gp...NGA52ZG7RI.jpg
The funeral for Army Air Forces 1st Lt. John D. Crouchley Jr. was Saturday in Bristol, Rhode Island.

BRISTOL, R.I. — A World War II pilot who died in a plane crash in Bulgaria 75 years ago after helping nine fellow crew members to safety has finally been laid to rest in his native Rhode Island.

A funeral service was held Saturday for Army Air Forces 1st Lt. John D. Crouchley Jr. at the North Burial Grounds in Bristol.

Crouchley, with the 828th Bombardment Squadron, 485th Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force, was piloting a B-24H Liberator on a mission over Romania in June 1944. The plane was shot down and crashed near Churen, Bulgaria.

Before the crash, the 26-year-old continued to pilot the aircraft, allowing the nine other crew members to bail out and survive, according to the military.

Crouchley’s remains were discovered in 2017 during a renewed effort to find him by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and positively identified last September. They arrived at T.F. Green Airport on Thursday.

Crouchley will receive several posthumous awards, including the Distinguished Flying Cross.

His funeral featured the playing of Taps and a three-volley rifle salute.

Photo link: https://www.armytimes.com/resizer/TH...OGMHBZXQBQ.JPG
U.S. Army Air Corps 1st Lt. John D. Crouchley, kneeling, second right, and his crew pose for a photo by their B-24 Liberator, “Miss Yankee Rebel” in 1944. Crouchley was assigned to the 828th Bombardment Squadron, 485th Bombardment Group, Foggia, Italy, and went into combat in May 1944. Just one month later, he paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country when his aircraft was shot down over Bulgaria when he and his crew were returning from a bombing mission over Romania June 28, 1944. (Courtesy photo)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In behalf of the Patriot Files members - we send our respects to the Family and Friends of
Army Air Forces 1st Lt. John D. Crouchley Jr. and thank him for his service to his Country.
"Right Hand Salute" & May he now Rest In Peace -

Boats
__________________
Boats

O Almighty Lord God, who neither slumberest nor sleepest; Protect and assist, we beseech thee, all those who at home or abroad, by land, by sea, or in the air, are serving this country, that they, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore in all perils; and being filled with wisdom and girded with strength, may do their duty to thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"IN GOD WE TRUST"
sendpm.gif Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:56 AM.


Powered by vBulletin, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.