World War II Honoree

Eldon L. Crotts, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

San Diego, California

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: CORPORAL. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE CALIFORNIA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, WHO WAS INDUCTED INTO FEDERAL SERVICE SEPTEMBER 16, 1940 AT SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. AFTER COMPLETION OF PARATROOPER TRAINING, HE WAS ASSIGNED TO I-COMPANY, 3RD BATTALION, 501ST PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 101ST AIRBORNE ‘SCREAMING EAGLES’ DIVISION. PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF HOLLAND, CODE NAME: OPERATION MARKET GARDEN AND JUMPED INTO THE AREA OF ARNHEM. HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1945 WHILE FIGHTING IN THE DEFENSE OF BASTOGNE, BELGIUM DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, ARDENNES-ALSACE CAMPAIGN AND WAS BURIED IN A BATTLEFIELD CEMETERY. AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES IN EUROPE, HIS REMAINS WERE RETURNED TO HIS FAMILY, WITH INTERMENT IN THE GREENWOOD MEMORIAL PARK CEMETERY, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA.