Ray Joseph Crews

These awards are based on the information below and per applicable DoD Directives and Awards Manuals:
Purple Heart Medal Awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Forces, after April 5, 1917, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may hereafter die of wounds received in action against an enemy of the United States.
U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal Awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal military service. It is awarded on a selective basis to each Soldier who distinguishes himself or herself from among his or her fellow Soldiers by their exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service.
American Campaign Service Medal Awarded for military service within the American Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946. (5)Within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of 1 year.
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal Awarded for military service for service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater between December 7, 1941 and November 8, 1945.
World War II Victory Medal Awarded for military service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, both dates inclusive.
 Note that this list may not include all awarded medals, devices, unit citations or qualification badges.
 **It is likely but unconfirmed that TEC5 Crews was posthumously awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Documents, Forms and Resources Found or Not Found:
Yes ABMC Form 1, Headstone Inscription And Interment Record
No  Eyewitness Statement or Report
Yes Grave Marker Photo(s), Find A Grave
No  National Archives Database, Enlistment Records
No  Official Regiment or Division After Action Report
No  Photo of veteran
No  Washington Newspaper Obit, Notice, or Report
Yes WWII Draft Card Data
Yes WWII Hospital Admission Records

American Battle Monuments Commission Data
Ray Joseph Crews
Service # 37181786
Unit 30th Ordnance Maintenance Company
Rank Technician Fifth Grade U.S. Army
Entered Service From: Washington
Date of Death: January 13, 1943
Buried: Plot: E, Row: 12, Grave: 11
 North Africa American Cemetery, Tunisia
Awards: Purple Heart

WWII Draft Card Data
Ray Joseph Crews
Race, Gender: White Male  -  Age: 24
Birth Date: February 14, 1916  -  Birth Place: Wellington, Missouri
Residence Place: Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington
Registration Date: October 16, 1940  -  Registration Place: Washington State
Employer: Joseph Crews - Crews Auto Parts
Weight: 160, Height: 6' 0"
Complexion: Dark
Eye Color: Gray  -  Hair Color: Brown
Next of Kin: Joseph Elmer Crews
Members of Household: Ray Joseph Crews, Self
Joseph Elmer Crews, Uncle

WWII Hospital Admission Records
Name: Ray J. Crews
Rank: Enlisted Man
Admission Age: 25
Birth Date: abt 1918
Admission Date: January 1943
Admission Place: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia
Discharge Date: January 1943
Military Branch: Ordnance
Diagnosis: Gunshot wound, missile not stated;
Location: Head;
  Causative Agent: Bullet (other) (code possibly also means bullet, shotgun);
Diagnosis: Wound(s), character not stated; Causative Agent: Bullet, Shot Gun
Injured in Line of Duty: Not Listed, Highly Likely: In line of duty
Length of Service: Not Listed
Service Number: 37181786

Note 1: The death location, "In Northwest Africa" is based on the best information available at this time. In the case of TEC5 Crews, this location was estimated on:

A. The American Battle Monuments Commission website identifies his assigned unit as the 30th Ordnance Maintenance Company.

B. At the time TEC5 Crews died the 30th Ordnance Maintenance Company was conducting operations in Northwest Africa during January 1943.

C. Hospital Admission Records indicate that TEC5 Crews died as a result of a wound from a "Bullet" or other projectile, possibly from a shotgun. Hospital Records also stated that his Admission Place was "Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia," all located in Northwest Africa.

D. Very limited information was found on the 30th Ordnance Maintenance Company. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to submit an email to: ww2updates@withmilitaryhonors.com.

The following information on this casualty is sourced from The National Archives Database:
 Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Enlistment Records) No Records Found

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