This Military Service Page was created/owned by
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/Ardennes Alsace Campaign (1944-45)
From Month/Year
December / 1944
To Month/Year
February / 1945
Description (Ardennes Alsace Campaign 16 December 1944 to 25 January 1945) During their offensive in the Ardennes the Germans drove into Belgium and Luxembourg, creating a great bulge in the line. For some time the weather was bad, but when it cleared the Allies could send their planes to assist their ground forces by bombing and strafing the enemy’s columns, dropping paratroops and supplies, and interdicting the enemy’s lines of communications. By the end of January 1945 the lost ground had been regained and the Battle of the Bulge, the last great German offensive, was over.
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)")
