World War II Honoree

William D. Crooks, III

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Family and Friends

HE VOLUNTEERED SERVICE IN THE U.S. NAVY AND WAS SOON ASSIGNED TO MIDSHIPMENS SCHOOL OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY. HE GRADUATED AND RECEIVED HIS OFFICER'S COMMISSION AND WAS ASSIGNED TO AN LCI, ONE OF THE NEW KINDS OF ASSAULT SHIPS BEING BUILT TO TRANSPORT TROOPS FOR THE NAVY'S CRITICAL AMPHIBIOUS FORCES OPERATIONS. SERVING IN THE PACIFIC THEATRE, HE PARTICIPATED IN A NUMBER OF ISLAND INVASIONS AND BECAME CAPTAIN OF HIS SHIP. HE WAS DISCHARGED IN 1945 WITH THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT SENIOR GRADE, U.S. NAVAL RESERVE.