World War II Honoree

Edward Albert Croker

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Eagle River, Wisconsin

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: First Lieutenant. A United States Marine Corps Pilot, who flew the Grumman Avenger TBF-1 Torpedo Bomber, with the First Marine Air Wing Location: Southwestern Pacific Theater of Operations, Solomon Islands. His unit was based at Henderson Airfield on Guadalcanal Island and assigned to the Marine VMTB-233 AKA: Bulldogs Squadron, Marine Air Group-11 and First Marine Air Wing. On September 16, 1943 during a bombing mission over Ballalae Island, his aircraft was struck by Imperial Japanese Anti-Aircraft ground fire. He experienced a successful bail-out and was captured by the enemy forces. Reported missing in action or buried at sea February 21, 1944. His name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippine Islands. In his Memory and Honor, a cenotaph memorial has been placed at the Saint Peters Catholic Cemetery Eagle River, Wisconsin. This American Patriot received the following decorations posthumously: Air Medal and the Purple Heart. The Air Medal was awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight, and the Purple Heart for his ultimate sacrifice.