Curtis Eugene Crawford

The database page for Curtis Eugene Crawford

21 Feb 1998 My Dad was killed when I was only 9 months old so I never had the chance to get to know him. Although many years have passed, I still miss him each and every day. I sometimes wonder "WHAT IF" ... Dad ... I love you and I always will. My Mom and I receiving Dad's medals, 1967. The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL to CURTIS EUGENE CRAWFORD Corporal United States Marine Corps for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company G, Second Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division in Vietnam on 28 February 1967. On this day Company G made solid contact with a larger enemy force in the vicinity of Hill 124, just northwestof Cam Lo. The enemy was well dug-in and was able to put out such a volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire that the company was pinned down. Under a hail of hostile fire, Corporal Crawford, a machine gun squad leader, brought his guns forward and set them up on the left flank of his platoon's most forward positions, only 40 meters from enemy emplacements. From this position, he caught sight of a Marine who had been wounded during one of the earlier assaults. Unhesitatingly, he bounded forward, exposing himself to enemy fire to render assistance to the fallen Marine. As he cleared his cover an enemy sniper opened up from close range wounding him in the leg and knocking him to the ground. Ignoring his wound, Corporal Crawford was able to whirl and send a lethal burst of rifle fire into the sniper's spider hole, killing him. He then continued to move forward to the Marine casualty. He had advanced only several more meters when he was fired upon again and mortally wounded. Corporal Crawford's selfless courage, perseverance and loyal devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. James (Jim) Sujka was in boot camp and at Camp Lejuene with my Dad (and a friend of my father). He was kind enough to send me this picture - and others - (Jim is the third from the left - my father is second from the left). If anyone knows who the other three men are, please contact me. Please take a few moments and visit my memorial site. We must NEVER forget what our servicemen sacrificed for us and for our country. I am so very proud of my dad and all of the other men who fought in Vietnam. Please remember each and every one of them... Thank you. A memorial from his daughter, Laura laura_atl@yahoo.com

29 Jan 2007 Corporal Crawford, I finally found your family. From a friend with his Purple Heart and Silver Star certificates, David Newcome 10 Bush Gardens, Alden, N. Y. dvdnewcome@yahoo.com

11 Aug 2007 My name is Pat Curtin. I am a Past Commander of West Seneca American Legion Post 735. A woman called our Post saying she found a Purple Heart medal while cleaning a house in West Seneca back in the 1980's. She dropped the medal off at the Post for me and it is inscribed with the name of Curtis E. Crawford. I have the medal and would be glad to return it to any of Curtis's relatives. I can be contacted at 716-675-2241. Pat Curtin pat.curtin@verizon.net

A Note from The Virtual Wall A bitterly fought battle at the end of February 1967, which took place about 5 kilometers northwest of Cam Lo, cost the lives of 28 Marines and sailors: A Co, 3rd Tank Bn: Sgt La Voughn H. Folkers, Racine, WI Pfc William P. Fahey, Scranton, PA F Co, 2nd Bn, 3rd Marines: Cpl Ronald G. Grumling, Glenolden, PA Cpl Stephen L. Miles, Bon Aqua, TN LCpl Victor J. Homsley, Judsonia, AR Pfc James Anderson, Compton, CA (Medal of Honor) G Co, 2nd Bn, 3rd Marines: Capt Carl E. Bockewitz, Bourbon, MO Cpl Curtis E. Crawford, Dunkirk, NY (Silver Star) LCpl James S. Goss, Mocksville, NC LCpl James L. Ross, Hickory, NC (Bronze Star "V") LCpl Douglas G. Street, Whitefish, MT Pfc Richard A. Dewane, Buffalo, NY Pfc Michael J. Glynn, Lake City, MN H&S Co, 2nd Bn, 3rd Marines: LtCol Victor Ohanesian, New York, NY (Silver Star) SMaj Wayne N. Hayes, Oceanside, CA HM3 John C. Agee, Lindsey, OH I Co, 3rd Bn, 3rd Marines: Cpl Donald W. Bollman, Norridge, IL Pfc De Wayne R. Black, Toledo, OH Pfc Reginald F. Carter, Washington, DC Pfc Gary A. Hendrickson, Ottawa, KS L Co, 3rd Bn, 4th Marines: 1stLt Douglas E. Nichols, San Pedro, CA LCpl Jose Holguin, El Paso, TX LCpl Larry E. Ross, Navato, CA Pfc Donald G. Detmer, Fort Lauderdale, FL Pfc Patrick M. McKenney, McComb, MS Pfc Charles S. Norris, Veradale, WA Pfc Jimmie C. Ross, Woodville, MS M Co, 3rd Bn, 4th Marines: LCpl James T. Byrd, Wadesboro, NC

The point-of-contact for this memorial is his daughter, Laura Crawford laura_atl@yahoo.com

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 21 Feb 1998
Last updated 03/20/2008