Clifford Edwin, Jr. Crosby
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
Photo: Mr. and Mrs. Crosby's 60th wedding anniversary party.
Mr. Crosby served in World War II in the Pacific Theater.
He served in the U.S. Navy from June 20, 1945, until July 27, 1946. He was trained at Naval Training Station (NTS) Sampson in New York. He was assigned to the Ashland-class USS Ashland LSD-1 (landing ship dock), then to U.S. Navy Repair Base San Diego. Next, he served on the USS Midas, (ARB-5), an Aristaeus-class battle damage repair ship.
His rank was Shipfitter 3rd Class.
Mr. Crosby was decorated with the American Area Ribbon, the World War II Victory Ribbon, and the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon.
Mr. Crosby was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1927, the son of Clifford, Sr., and Elda Crosby. He graduated from South High School in 1945 in Youngstown, Ohio.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall veteran history form; undated Duluth News Tribune, veteran’s account (see below)
In 1945 I was in the Navy in the South Pacific during World War II. I enlisted right after high school and went to boot camp in Seneca, N.Y. I was the oldest of three Crosby sons who met our nation’s call. One brother was in the Marine Corps and another brother was in the Army. We were young, impressionable end very proud to be part of the war effort to free the world.
Following boot camp, my group caught a Liberty ship to Shanghai, China. I was assigned to the USS Ashland (LSD-1) a ship on a landing ship dock and became a ship fitter 3rd class, or a welder. We traveled from island to island repairing PT boats and other craft such as land craft tanks. On larger craft, we welded holes under the water and other kinds of repairs.
There were many experiences for young people jut out of high school like myself. We were never alone. We were fathers, mothers, sons and daughters—some giving their lives as those who had gone before us for this great nation. We had leadership and a Constitution that was followed. We had God. The war was over while I was overseas. I went on to college and become a forester, thanks to the GI bill.
