World War II Honoree

Robert E. Crider

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Canton, Ohio

Honored By

Patricia K. Smaldone

Relationship

Daughter

SERVED AS A NAVIGATOR OF B-24 AIRCRAFT WITH 461ST BOMB GROUP, 765TH BOMB SQUADRON. ON A BOMBING MISSION ON DECEMBER 19, 1944 TO THE MARSHALLING YARD AT ROSENHEIM, GERMANY, HE CALLED HIS CREW ON THE INTERPHONE FOR AN OXYGEN CHECK. UPON GETTING NO RESPONSE HE DISCOVERED THE NOSE GUNNER WAS UNCONSCIOUS. HE HELPED HIM AND THEN REALIZED THE BOMBARDIER WAS ALSO UNCONSCIOUS. AT THAT TIME, THE FORMATION TURNED ONTO THE BOMB RUN. HE HAD TO PERFORM THE BOMBARDIER'S DUTIES AS WELL AS REVIVE HIM. AFTER SUCCESSFULLY DROPPING THE BOMBS ON THE LEAD SHIP'S RELEASE, HE MANAGED TO REVIVE THE OFFICERS AND RETURNED TO HIS OWN DUTIES. SINCE THERE WAS ONLY ONE USABLE OXYGEN HOSE FOR THE BOMBARDIER AND NOSE GUNNER, HE HAD TO ALTERNATE THEM ON HOSE AND OXYGEN BOTTLE. DUE TO AN ENGINE FAILURE, THE PLANE HAD BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE FORMATION AFTER LEAVING THE TARGET. DESPITE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND TIME LOST IN ASSISTING THE BOMBARDIER AND NOSE GUNNER, HE DEMONSTRATED OUTSTANDING NAVIGATIONAL SKILL BY DETERMINING THE POSITION AND BY GUIDING THE PILOT SAFELY AROUND WEATHER AND ENEMY ANTI-AIRCRAFT. HIS SUPERIOR SKILL, DEVOTION TO DUTY AND COOL DECISIONS IN EMERGENCIES THROUGHOUT 14 SORTIES AGAINST THE ENEMY REFLECTED GREAT CREDIT TO HIMSELF AND THE ARMED FORCES.