World War II Honoree

Howard J. Crager

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Bronx, New York

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE IN 1942. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER. PARTICIPATED IN COMBAT OPERATIONS, INCLUDING IN THE NORMANDY, AND NORTHERN FRANCE CAMPAIGNS. TOOK PART IN THE D-DAY INVASION AT NORMANDY, FRANCE AND IN THE LIBERATION OF PARIS, FRANCE. THOUGHT TO BE AMONG THE FIRST AMERICAN SOLDIERS TO ENTER LIBERATED PARIS. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON. CONTINUED IN U.S. ARMY RESERVE SERVICE AFTER THE WAR UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT WITH THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL.