Welcome Stop for Warriors

Fritz Crytzer
 
Ben, I have attached a picture of my father, Ira C. Crytzer, Jr. Also, I have attached a picture of my mother, Mildred Elizabeth Campbell (Crytzer) when she was working in Washington, DC, during the war, for the Department of the Navy. The reason I am sending this to you is this: My Dad was in the 517th, from Camp Toccoa through the Berlin Occupation. A private, in I Company. He fought through (and jumped into) the Champagne Campaign, the Bulge, and then through Germany. Later, he returned to the Virginia Military Institute, graduated in 1948, and then flew in B-36 Bombers during the Korean Conflict as an Air Force officer.  
My father now lives in Williamsburg, Virginia, with my Mom. He has Alzheimer's. But when I talk to him, he remembers his WWII days. I thought that the best gift I could give him now was to ask you to include him in your rolls, and, maybe, anyone that knows him, or wants to know him, could contact him and talk a little bit about those times. Again, his name is :
 
Ira C. Crytzer, Jr. (Nickname "Fritz")
P.O. Box 2466
Williamsburg, Virginia 23187
Phone: (757) 259-1104
 
My Mom's name is "Mid", and she was in the Navy during WWII, as I said above. I am proud of them both. They are the real heroes.
 
I have been in a few recent operations, JUST CAUSE, DESERT SHIELD/STORM, JOINT ENDEAVOR, and worked at the Pentagon during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM and OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. But none of these comes close to what they went through. Please help me honor a 517th alumni, and give him something to be proud of. Say hello to him.
 
Fritz Crytzer
1209 Highway 342
Pontotoc, Mississippi 38863
(662) 489-7806

Tom Copsey
Hi Ben,
 
This message is for Fritz Crytzer,
 
Fritz - I am Tom Copsey and we have something in common. My Dad, John Copsey was also in Company I. Not sure if he was at Toccoa but I do know he was at Camp McCall and was in Italy and also made the jump into France. Pop then got "detailed" elsewhere after a run in with his platoon leader but did finish the war in Berlin with the 504th. His name is on the 517's 1944 Xmas card and he said he was at the Bulge. 
 
What fascinates me is like your Dad, Pop also met and married a Navy WAVE, Vera Grill who was also stationed in Washington like your Mom. My mom was a Communications Specialist at Wave Barracks D on Nebraska Avenue. Pictures of Mom and Pop also attached. Unfortunately both Mom and Pop are gone. I will definitely contact your folks in Williamsburg to chat. (I left a message with you this evening)
 
I agree - our parents like the rest of the 517th (and Navy) community were the real heroes!!
 
For Ben,
 
I am looking forward to next year's reunion. I live in MD close to DC and work at the Washington Navy Yard (where Pop worked before the war). Would like to help however I can in assisting in the reunion. Thoroughly enjoyed my first one in Savannah in 04.
 
Cheers
Tom Copsey
1466 Crofton Parkway
Crofton MD 21114
 

 

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Harris Johnson

Click here: Gladiator, American Style

- Someone did a super job of putting this together

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Dan Ogniewski

Hello Ben,
Could you please forward me info on enrolling in the auxiliary?  Both my Mom and myself would be interested in helping forward the march of the 517th. Is there a cost or donation/registration fee?
Thanks Dan Curtis nephew Pfc. Danny Ogniewski KIA Co.D