World War II Honoree

Harry J. Crimins

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

York, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Barbara E. Herman

Relationship

Niece

COMMENDED BY PRESIDENT TRUMAN. WITH THE FIRST AIRBORNE ARMY OCCUPYING BERLIN. AUGUST 29, WAS AMONG THOSE COMMENDED BY PRESIDENT HARRY S. TRUMAN DURING HIS STAY AT THE BIG THREE CONFERENCE IN POTSDAM. THE PRESIDENT'S COMMENDATION, WHICH WAS ADDRESSED TO MAJOR GENERAL FLOYD L. PARKS, COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE FIRST AIRBORNE ARMY AND THE U.S. BERLIN DISTRICT, READ AS FOLLOWS: 'MY DEAR GENERAL PARKS: I HAVE NOTED WITH PRIDE AND PLEASURE THE EXCELLENT SERVICE PROVIDED US BY THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF YOUR COMMAND. THE JUNIOR OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF BILLETS, POST EXCHANGES, TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER SERVICES HAVE BEEN ESPECIALLY THOUGHTFUL AND HELPFUL, AND HAVE CONTRIBUTED MATERIALLY TO THE WORK OF THE CONFERENCE. I CONGRATULATE YOU ON THE MORALE, COURTESY AND MILITARY SMARTNESS OF THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF YOUR COMMAND WHO HAVE COME UNDER MY OBSERVATION.' 'HARRY S. TRUMAN' STAFF SERGEANT HARRY J. CRIMINS WAS A MEMBER OF THE 131ST QUARTERMASTER TRUCK COMPANY, WAS ONE OF THE 3,300 OFFICERS AND MEN WHO OPERATED AND ADMINISTERED THE AMERICAN SECTION OF THE BIG THREE CONFERENCE AREA. HE WAS STATIONED IN BERLIN.