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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/Southern France Campaign (1944)
From Month/Year
August / 1944
To Month/Year
September / 1944
Description (Southern France Campaign 15 August to 14 September 1944) While the Germans were retreating in Italy in the summer of 1944, the Allies diverted some of their strength in the theater to the invasion of Southern France. After preliminary bombardment, a combined seaborne-airborne force landed on the French Riviera on 15 August. Marseilles having been taken, Sevmth Army advanced up the Rhone Valley and by mid-September was in touch with Allied forces that had entered France from the north.
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)")
