William Earl Crowe

Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Marine Corps

Navy Cross and Distinguished Flying Cross with Four Gold Stars

GENERAL ORDERS:
SPOT AWARD, Commander, South Pacific: Serial 01787 (SofN Signed September 25, 1947)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain William Earl Crowe (MCSN: 0-9423), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Division Leader and a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VMF-124), Marine Air Group TWELVE (MAG-12, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, from February to September 1942.
Boldly intercepting approximately one hundred hostile aircraft engaged in a bomb attack on our landing forces at Vella Lavella, on 15 August, Captain Crowe, with a four-plane division, launched a vigorous and determined counterattack, personally shooting down one Zero and damaging another, thereby aiding materially in the complete rout of the enemy. On 21 August, sighting ninety Japanese aircraft while on patrol duty over Vella Lavella, Captain Crowe and his wingman, undaunted by the tremendous odds, immediately engaged the enemy in fierce combat and succeeded in shooting down one Zero and two dive bombers. Flying escort for our bombers in a strike against Kahill Airfield, Bougainville, he disrupted the plans of the Japanese and lessened the effectiveness of their attack by shooting down one of the approximately thirty Zeros which attempted to intercept the formation. Captain Crowe's inspiring leadership and great personal valor contributed essentially to the success of his squadron on these and numerous other escort missions and fighter sweeps carried out against overwhelming aerial opposition and his steadfast devotion to duty in the face of grave peril was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain William Earl Crowe (MCSN: 0-9423), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VMF-124), Marine Air Group TWELVE (MAG-12, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the South Pacific War Area from 12 May 1943 to 17 June 1943.
Leading a three-plane flight to intercept enemy twin-engined bombers near Santa Isabel Island on 10 June, Captain Crowe skillfully pressed home his attack, destroying two of the hostile aircraft and contributing to the destruction of all the Japanese planes without loss to his flight. Throughout this period, he led flights on escort missions, strafing attacks against shore installations and shipping. His airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

GENERAL ORDERS:
AFMFSPOT 8259
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant William Earl Crowe (MCSN: 0-9423), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VMF-124), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area from 15 to 20 March 1943.
Completing his twentieth mission during this period, First Lieutenant Crowe contributed materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of extensive damage on enemy aircraft, emplacements and installations. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of enemy aerial opposition were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

GENERAL ORDERS:
AFMFSPOT 8259
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain William Earl Crowe (MCSN: 0-9423), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VMF-124), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, from 28 May 1943 to 16 June 1943.
Completing his fortieth mission during this period, Captain Crowe contributed materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of extensive damage on enemy aircraft, emplacements and installations. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of enemy aerial opposition were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

GENERAL ORDERS:
AFMFSPOT 8259
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain William Earl Crowe (MCSN: 0-9423), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VMF-124), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, from 18 to 31 August 1943.
Completing his sixtieth mission during this period, Captain Crowe contributed materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of extensive damage on enemy aircraft, emplacements and installations. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of enemy aerial opposition were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

GENERAL ORDERS:
AFMFSPOT 8259
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major William Earl Crowe (MCSN: 0-9423), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighting Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VMF-124), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Volcano and Japanese Home Islands Areas, from 17 to 24 February 1945.
Completing his eightieth mission during this period, Major Crowe contributed materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of extensive damage on enemy aircraft, emplacements and installations. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of enemy aerial opposition were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.