Henry Pierson Crowe
{{short description|United States Marine Corps officer}}
{{About|the U.S. Marine Corps officer|the World War I Irish flying ace|Henry Crowe (RAF officer)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox military person
| name = Henry Pierson Crowe
| image =Henry Pierson Crowe, Lt Col USMC.jpg
| caption = Henry Pierson Crowe, Lt Col USMC
|alt=Head and torso of white man with slightly receding hairline and waxed mustache wearing tan shirt and necktie, green blouse with U.S. Marine lieutenant colonel's insignia, five rows of ribbons on his chest, and 2nd Marine Division patch on his left shoulder. The U.S. Marine Corps logo is superimposed on the lower right corner of this black-and-white photograph.
| birth_date ={{Birth date|1899|4|7}}
| birth_place =Boston, Kentucky, US
| death_date ={{Death date and age|1991|6|27|1899|4|7}}
| death_place =Portsmouth, Virginia, US
| placeofburial = at sea
| placeofburial_label = Ashes scattered
| placeofburial_coordinates =
| nickname = Jim
| birth_name =
| allegiance = United States of America
| branch = United States Marine Corps
| serviceyears =October 28, 1918–December 1919
1921–March 1, 1960{{cite journal |title=Remembering the Legendary 'Jim' Crowe – Part 1 |author=BGen Edwin H. Simmons, USMC (Dec) |journal=Fortitudine |date=Winter 1991–1992 |url=http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Fortitudine%20Vol%2021%20No%203.pdf |volume=22 |issue=4 |pages=3–7 |access-date=April 21, 2017}}
| unit =
| commands =regimental weapons co, 8th Marines
1st Shore Party Bn, 1st Marine Division
H&S Bn, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego
Marine Barracks, Norfolk Naval Shipyard
| battles =
- no combat
| battles_label =
| awards =Navy Cross
Silver Star Medal
Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)
Legion of Merit (Combat V) (2)
Bronze Star Medal (3 gold stars)
Purple Heart Medal (gold star)
| relations =
| laterwork = Chief of Police, Portsmouth, VA (1960–1969){{cite book
|access-date=April 21, 2017
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Xov0PtHvy-QC
|title=U.S. Marines in the Korean War (Google eBook)
|editor1-last=Smith
|editor1-first=Charles Richard
|author1=Marine Corps History and Museums Division
|publisher=Government Printing Office
|page=539
|year=2007|isbn = 9780160872518}}{{cite journal|journal=Fortitudine|volume=22|issue=4|pages=3–9|url=http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Fortitudine%20Vol%2021%20No%204.pdf |date=Spring 1992 |title=Remembering the Legendary 'Jim' Crowe – Part 2 |access-date=April 21, 2017}}}}
Henry Pierson Crowe (March 7, 1899 – June 27, 1991) was a Marine of World War I, the Banana Wars, World War II, and the Korean War.
Biography
Henry "Jim" Pierson Crowe was born March 7, 1899, in Boston, Kentucky, the fourth of the five children of Samuel Lee Crowe (1865–1921) and Alvada T. Crowe (1868–1942).{{cite web
|access-date=February 2, 2012
|url=http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/w/a/t/Rhonda-Wathen-KY/ODT4-0002.html
|title=Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Outline Descendant Tree: Descendants of JOHN MICHAEL TROUTMAN
|page=2 of 13
|first=Rhonda Patton
|last=Wathen
|publisher=Genealogy.com
}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} After attending high school at Mount Pulaski, Illinois, for three years, he entered the Marine Corps on October 28, 1918. After boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, he served in port security at Brest, France, under General Smedley D. Butler (after the World War I Armistice), returned as a private first class, and was discharged December 1919. He reenlisted in 1921. He served in the Dominican Republic (1921–1923), in Nicaragua (1928), and at various other posts and stations. He was also a frequent participant in local and national shooting competitions, winning the coveted Distinguished Marksman Medal in 1927.
Appointed a Marine Gunner (a warrant officer rank) in September 1934, he served on Pacific maneuvers and at several stations in the United States during the next two years. He embarked for China in October 1936, and after three years with the Marine Detachment at the American Embassy, Beiping, he returned to the U.S. in October 1939, to join the 6th Marine Regiment at San Diego, California. He was transferred to the 8th Marine Regiment in April 1940, and was promoted to chief Marine gunner in February 1941.
Chief Marine Gunner Crowe embarked with the 8th Marines for Samoa in January 1942, and the following month was promoted from chief gunner to captain. He was promoted to major in March 1943 and to lieutenant colonel in January 1944.
He commanded the regimental weapons company of the 8th Marines at Guadalcanal, where he was awarded both a Silver (U.S. Army) and Bronze Star Medal. He said there (January 13, 1943) "You'll never get a Purple Heart hiding in a foxhole! Follow me!"
{{cite web
|url=http://www.usmcpress.com/heritage/usmc_quotations.htm
|access-date=February 2, 2012
|title=USMC Quotations
|publisher=Heritage Press International
|location=Plum Branch, South Carolina
|year=2001
}} excerpted from Warrior Culture of the U.S. Marines.
Compilation and Arrangement:
Copyright 2001 Marion F. Sturkey
He commanded 2d Battalion, 8th Marines, at Tarawa and Saipan. At Tarawa, his battalion landed from the USS Heywood (APA-6) on
He was awarded the Navy Cross and British Distinguished Service Cross at Tarawa,{{cite web |url=https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/31070 |access-date=April 21, 2017 |title=TracesOfWar.com – CROWE, Henry Pierson "Jim" |publisher=STIWOT (Stichting Informatie Wereldoorlog Twee, or Foundation for Information on the Second World War) |location=Bemmel, Netherlands}} and the Purple Heart with Gold Star in lieu of a second award for wounds received at Saipan.
Lieutenant Colonel Crowe served with the 8th Marines in New Zealand and Hawaii before he returned to the United States in September 1944, for treatment of wounds sustained at Saipan. He was released from the U.S. Naval Hospital at San Diego in March 1945, and the following month was named Training Officer of Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, at Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii.
After the war's end, Lt Col Crowe served briefly with the 29th Marines in China, and with Marine Garrison Forces, 14th Naval District, at Pearl Harbor. He returned to the United States in March 1946, and after duty at San Diego and Quantico, Virginia, entered the Senior Course in the Amphibious Warfare School at Quantico in September 1947. He completed the course in May 1948, and reported to the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California, the following month. There, he served as a battalion executive officer, as division special services officer, played himself in a cameo in the film Sands of Iwo Jima and was executive officer of the 1st Shore Party Battalion before taking command of the unit in July 1950.
He arrived in Japan in August 1950 to assist in preparations for the Inchon landing in Korea. He remained with the 1st Shore Party Battalion, 1st Marine Division from September 1950 to May 1951 and was awarded the two Legions of Merit with Combat "V" (one by the army) for outstanding service during the Inchon-Seoul Campaign and Wonsan landing. He returned to the United States in May 1951.
Lieutenant Colonel Crowe was promoted to colonel in December 1951, while serving as chief of the Tactical School Section, Troop Training Unit, Amphibious Training Command, at Coronado, California. He later served there as chief of the Administrative Schools Section before assuming command of the headquarters and service battalion at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, in January 1953. He was assigned additional duties as a technical advisor for the movie Battle Cry (December 1953–June 1954). Following his detachment from San Diego, he completed his final tour of duty June 1957 to March 1960, as commanding officer, Marine Barracks, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia.
Colonel Crowe retired from active duty March 1, 1960, after 40 years service in the Marine Corps, including {{frac|14|1|2}} years as an enlisted man and seven and a half years as a warrant officer. Immediately after retirement, he served as Chief of Police in Portsmouth, Virginia, for nine years, retiring in 1969. He died on June 27, 1991, in Portsmouth after a long illness. As he had instructed, his remains were cremated and his ashes scattered at sea.
He was memorialized in the Tarawa diorama at the Marine Corps Museum, then in the Washington Navy Yard, that depicted him standing on the coconut log seawall.
In addition to the decorations already mentioned, Col Crowe's awards also include the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon with three bronze stars; the Good Conduct Medal with three bronze stars; the World War I Victory Medal; the Expeditionary Medal; the Second Dominican Campaign Medal; the Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal; the China Service Medal; the American Defense Service Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal with three bronze stars; the World War II Victory Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; the Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars and the United Nations Service Medal.
Navy Cross
Crowe's leadership during action against enemy Japanese forces at Betio Island earned him the Navy Cross.
The citation reads:
{{blockquote|
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Henry Pierson Crowe (0-5028), Major, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service while serving as Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, Eighth Marines, Second Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, from 20 to 22 November 1943. Courageously leading his Battalion ashore in the face of savage enemy resistance, Major Crowe maintained continuous aggressive pressure for three days from the limited beachhead established by his command in the midst of Japanese emplacements and strongholds. Constantly exposing himself to hostile fire and working without rest, he effectively coordinated the efforts of his own hard-pressed Battalion, attached units and subsequent reinforcement, directing their combined attacks skillfully and with unwavering determination, and succeeded in overcoming one of the most heavily defended Japanese centers of resistance on Tarawa Atoll. Major Crowe's inspiring leadership, brilliant tactical ability and indomitable fighting spirit under extremely perilous conditions reflect great credit upon himself, his valiant command and the United States Naval Service.}}
Awards and honors
Colonel Crowe's medals and decorations include:
| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy Cross ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Silver Star ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|other_device=v|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=3|type=award-star|ribbon=Bronze Star ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=Purple Heart ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Marine Corps Good Conduct ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=World War I Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Marine Corps Expeditionary ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Dominican Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Nicaraguan Campaign ribbon 1933.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=China Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=American Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Korean_Service_Medal_-_Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=UK Distinguished Service Cross BAR.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=United Nations Service Medal Korea ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |
| 1st Row
|Legion of Merit w/ valor device and award star |Bronze Star w/ 3 award stars |
|---|
| 2nd Row
|Purple Heart w/ 1 award star |Navy Presidential Unit Citation w/ 3 stars |Good Conduct Medal w/ three bronze stars |
| 3rd Row
|Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal |Second Dominican Campaign Medal |
| 4th Row
|American Defense Service Medal |Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ three Bronze Stars |
| 5th Row
|National Defense Service Medal |Korean Service Medal w/ four bronze service stars |
References
{{Marine Corps|url=https://www.usmcu.edu/content/colonel-henry-p-crowe|article=Who's Who in Marine Corps History-Col Henry "Jim" P. Crowe}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
Further reading
- {{cite book
|title=The History of Marine Corps Competitive Marksmanship
|first=Maj Robert E.
|last=Barde
}}
- {{cite news
|work=Leatherneck Magazine
|date=April 1947
|title=He's Tough All Over
|first=Maj Houston
|last=Stiff
}}
- {{cite news
|work=Leatherneck Magazine, Pacific edition
|date=October 15, 1944
|title=Crowe's Feats
|authorlink=Frank X. Tolbert
|first=Sgt Frank X.
|last=Tolbert
}}
- {{cite book
|title=Pearl Harbor to Guadalcanal
|series=History of U.S. Marine Corps Operations in World War II
|volume=I
}}
- {{cite book
|title=Central Pacific Drive
|series=History of U.S. Marine Corps Operations in World War II
|volume=III
}}
- {{cite book
|title=The Inchon-Seoul Operation
|series=U.S. Marine Corps Operations in Korea, 1950–1953
|volume=II
}}
- {{cite book
|title=The Chosin Reservoir Campaign
|series=U.S. Marine Corps Operations in Korea, 1950–1953
|volume=III
}}
- {{cite magazine
|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,796907,00.html
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081214232500/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,796907,00.html
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=December 14, 2008
|access-date=February 2, 2012
|title=Army & Navy – MARINES: Iron Man
|date=November 27, 1944
|magazine=TIME
|format=subscription required
|quote=From the spotless decks of San Diego's Naval Hospital last week came word that the Paul Bunyan of the Marine Corps had pulled through again: 45-year-old "Jim" Crowe had persuaded the doctors to let him go back to war ... Leading his battalion of the 8th Marines into another beachhead landing—at Saipan last June — 6-ft, 200-lb. Lieut. Colonel Henry Pierson Crowe came about as near to getting killed as a man could, and still live. First a Jap bullet pierced his left lung, not far from his heart. Then he was almost killed...}}
External links
{{Portal|Biography}}
- {{cite web|last1=Simmons|first1=BGen Edwin H.|title=Remembering the Legendary 'Jim' Crowe – Parts 1 and 2|website=Marine Corps History Division|publisher=United States Marine Corps|url=https://www.usmcu.edu/sites/default/files/HD_Who/MHC/JimCrowe.pdf|access-date=April 23, 2017|archive-date=January 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126045328/https://www.usmcu.edu/sites/default/files/HD_Who/MHC/JimCrowe.pdf|url-status=dead}}
- {{IMDb name|0189624}}
{{clear}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Crowe, Henry Pierson}}
Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II
Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Korean War
Category:American municipal police chiefs
Category:United States Marine Corps officers
Category:Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States)
Category:Recipients of the Silver Star
Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit
Category:United States Marines
Category:Quantico Marines Devil Dogs football players
Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)
Category:People from Nelson County, Kentucky
Category:People from Logan County, Illinois
Category:Law enforcement officials from Virginia
Category:Military personnel from Kentucky
Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of World War I