Saturday, January 9, 2021

A Family Service of Sacrifice; A 901st FA Bn NCO That Lost a Brother in the 17th Airborne

Robert W. C-R-O-L-L was born on December 7th, 1941 in Boyertown, Pennsylvania. He raised his right hand in July of 1942 and received training as a Field Artilleryman at Fort Sill, OK. He was then assigned to HQ Battery, 901st Field Artillery Bn in the 76th Division.  Robert deployed overseas on December 9th, 1944 two days after his 23rd birthday. He served in all three campaigns that the 76th Div received credit for. In late August of 1945 the 76th Division was inactivated and he was transferred to the 30th Division (along with my Grandfather) for combat in the PTO. Fortunately, that day never came and the 30th sailed back to the United States. 

Interesting enough, Robert moved back to La Crosse, Wisconsin after the war. La Crosse is the location of Camp McCoy which is where the 76th completed their combat training and maneuvers that he was a part of. 

Robert passed away in July of 1998 at the age of 76. He is buried in La Crosse.

His, brother Daniel W. C-R-O-L-L, 4 years younger than Robert, also answered the Nation's call and enlisted as a Paratrooper that served in the 194th PIR, 17th Airborne Division. He was killed in action on January 7th, 1945 and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart Medal for his sacrifice.