Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

1st Lieutenant

Unit:

Company D, 760th Tank Battalion, 88th Infantry Division "Fighting Blue Devils", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

June 9th, 1944

First Lieutenant John A. Crews, (then Second Lieutenant), O-1014488, Infantry, 760th Tank Battalion. For exceptionally meritorious service in support of combat operations, near Cassino, Italy. On 19 March 1944, First Lieutenant Crews (then Second Lieutenant), Platoon Leader of the Third Platoon of Company D, 760th Tank Battalion, was in an attack on the Albaneta House Area, Cassino. When his tank received a hit by an anti-tank projectile and was disabled Lieutenant Crews ordered the driver remained inside the disabled tank and manned the machine gun and 37mm gun. After he was evacuated to the Madras Circus Area he again went forward in another tank and removed the breech blocks from the 37mm guns in the tanks which had been abandoned because of thrown tanks. This was done at a time when there was a heavy small arms fire in the immediate vicinity of the disabled tanks. Throughout the day, Lieutenant Crews displayed his ability as a Platoon Leader and showed bravery under fire with complete disregard for his personal safety. Entered service from Chicago, Illinois.

Headquarters 88th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 28 (9 June 1944).