World War II Honoree

Robert L. Crom

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Hampton, Iowa

Honored By

Linda Kearney, Penny Crom, Randall Crom

Relationship

Children

ENLISTED JUNE 26, 1944 IN DES MOINES, IOWA. BOOT CAMP (CAMP WARD, COMPANY 747, GUIDON BEARER AND HONOR MAN) AND GUNNER’S MATE TRAINING AT FARRAGUT NAVAL TRAINING STATION, ATHOL, IDAHO. DEPARTED TREASURE ISLAND, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, APRIL 21, 1945 ABOARD USS GENERAL W.C. LANGFITT (AP-151). SAILED TO THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS (P.I.) VIA PEARL HARBOR AND ADMIRALTY ISLANDS. DISEMBARKED AT SEA BEES (CONSTRUCTION BATTALION) BASE, SAMAR, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. TRANSFERRED BY AIR VIA CLARK FIELD, MANILA TO SERVICE AT U.S. NAVAL FACILITY 954, CAVITE (AT ENTRANCE TO MANILA BAY) OPPOSITE CORREGIDOR (ON BATAAN PENINSULA) UNTIL OCTOBER 1945. RETURNED TO SAN FRANCISCO ON USS SAUGUS (LSV-4); AFTER 3 WEEKS REHABILATION LEAVE REPORTED TO TRAINING AND DISTRIBUTION CENTER; SHOEMAKER, CALIFORNIA. ASSIGNED AS CREW MEMBER TO USS GENERAL OMAR BUNDY (AP-152) DECEMBER 24, 1945. ON AP-152, HE RETURNED TO MANILA IN JANUARY TO TAKE OCCUPATION TROOPS TO YOKOHAMA, JAPAN IN EARLY FEBRUARY 1946. SAILED VIA MANILA TO RETURN 3,000 U.S. ARMY PERSONNEL TO SAN FRANCISCO. RETURNED TO MANILA TO PICK UP ANOTHER 3,000 TROOPS IN APRIL, COMPLETING THE SHIP'S 'MAGIC CARPET' MISSIONS. IN MAY 1946, HE WAS GIVEN THE OPTION OF BEING REASSIGNED OR BEING AMONG 100 TO REMAIN AS CREW TO TAKE THE SHIP TO NEW YORK FOR DECOMISSIONING. THE SHIP WAS DECOMMISSIONED JUNE 14, 1946. HE WAS DISCHARGED AT LIDO BEACH, NEW YORK ON JUNE 17, 1946 AT THE RANK OF CARPENTER’S MATE SECOND CLASS.