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SSgt Brad Crooks
to remember
Crooks, Leonidas M., Jr. (Leon), 1ST SGT.
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Contact Info
Home Town Parsons
Date of Passing Apr 12, 2014
Location of Interment South Mound Cemetery - South Mound, Kansas
The Second Chemical Mortar Battalion was a bastard unit, that was basically sent from division to division, as needed. Â Often, the 4.2's would be on the line, and when the parent division was relieved, they would be sent to another.
Both Generals Mark Clark, and George Patton stated that they would never commit an infantry division to battle, without a 4.2 mortar Battalion attached, due the weapons effectiveness, Â mobility and superb cover it provided for troop movements and advancements.
The battalion also found itself attached to other seperate units, such as the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment and the 106th Cavalry Group. Also, it was attached to the Free French Army, the First French Army, and the French Forces of the Interior.
By the end of the war, the 2nd Chemical Mortar Bn, had 511 days on the front line, tying the 157th RCT of the 45th Infantry Divison, for the most time in combat, of any American unit in the European Theater of OperationsÂ
The unit was in 7 battle campaigns, and had a total of 57 KIA
WWII - European Theater of Operations/Naples-Foggia Campaign (1943-44)
From Month/Year
August / 1943
To Month/Year
January / 1944
Description (Naples-Foggia Campaign 18 Aug 1943-21 Jan 1944 (Air); 9 Sep 1943-21 Jan 1944 (Ground) After Allied bombardment of communications and airfields in Italy, Montgomery crossed the Strait of Messina on 3 September 1943 and started northward. Five days later Eisenhower announced that the Italian Government had surrendered. Fifth Army, under Clark, landed at Salerno on g September and managed to stay despite furious counterattacks. By 18 September the Germans were withdrawing northward. On 27 September Eighth Army occupied the important airfields of Foggia, and on I October Fifth Army took Naples. As the Allies pushed up the peninsula, the enemy slowed the advance and brought it to a halt at the Gustav Line.
SSgt Brad Crooks
to remember
Crooks, Leonidas M., Jr. (Leon), 1ST SGT.
.png?ixlib=java-2.3.0&w=100&s=d76ee7b561518ef30be0e50aa6e13b60 "Honorable Discharge Emblem (WWII)")
