IOWA GI KILLED IN LUXEMBOURG
Pfc. Eldon Crawford Was in Patton's Army
Osage -- Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Crawford of near Osage received official notice of the death of their son, Pfc. Eldon E. Crawford, 24, Dec. 22, at Luxembourg. He was with General Patton's 3rd army, a radio operator in the artillery.
Eldon was born April 10, 1920, on a farm east of Nora Springs, and when he was 3 years old moved with his parents and brother to a farm southwest of Osage. Here he grew to manhood and farmed with his father until inducted into the service June 24, 1942.
He received most of his training at Camp Carson, Colo., specializing in radio. He received the good conduct medal for meritorious service while there. He also was for some time at Camp Roberts, Cal. and Camp Butner, N. Car., being sent overseas to England in July, 1944,. Not long afterwards he was sent to France.
Eldon was a member of the Christian church at Nora Springs. Besides his parents he leaves one brother, George J. Crawford, seaman 1/c, who is on the east coast awaiting orders to put to sea.
Source: The Mason City Globe-Gazette, January 22, 1945 (photo included)
Eldon Elmer Crawford was born Apr. 10, 1920 to Elmer H. and Majel E. Noah Crawford. He died Dec. 11, 1944. Pvt. Crawford is buried in Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, Luxembourg and has a cenotaph in Rock Grove Township Cemetery, Nora Springs, IA. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Pvt. Crawford served in World War II with the U.S. Army 11th Corps, 314th Field Artillery with General Patton’s Third Army and was KIA in Luxembourg.
Source: ancestry.com; abmc.gov; fieldsofhonordatabase.com
