Ben,

Please share the news that my father,

Robert L. Crawford of Company A 517th; passed away on July 10^th 2004. As he always wished, he passed in his sleep at age 78. He was a Bronze Star recipient. Like most of you, he seldom talked about the war, but he was very proud of what you guys did for this country. He was in his greatest glory and a light shone in his eyes whenever he talked of my mother, Jean Crawford, and of his children and grandchildren.

He packed the funeral home and I could see well over a mile behind me but I still could not see the end of the headlights of the funeral procession. It took six police cars to control traffic. This was a good man. He was loved by all that met him.

He was always a very decisive and confident leader. He was moral, generous and loving, yet strong and demanding.

His spirit lives on in his wife of 60 years, his three sons, in his daughter, 12 grand children, and in 14 great-grandchildren.

We will not forget him, just as we will not forget all of the soldiers that have kept us safe including the great men of the 517^th.

Robert Crawford is buried in Chapel Lawn Cemetery Merrillville, Indiana.

I will submit more information for the site regarding my father.

regards,

Proud Son

Ted L. Crawford

Yorktown, Indiana

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You can see photos and get more information about Robert Crawford on the website. Click on this link in the photos section--Ben

Robert L. Crawford (A Co.)

Merle McMorrow

Ben & Bob Christie

I will send money for a memorial to honor the 6 men from Btry C.

Merle

John Alicki

Howdy to you, Found some good stuff. Check it out at,
http://www.cowboyfun.com/10commands

Leroy Johnson

had trouble with other inter net server switch to bell south so if you wish to send anything use this address (bogeycir23@bellsouth.net)

Entry of Jul 17, 2004 at 11:25 [EST]
Name: Calvin Siegal
Unit: F Co 290th Inf Regiment 75th Inf. Div.
EMail: Csiegal@comcast.net
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: I was hit by 5 German machine gun bullets, Christmas afternoon, Dec. 25, taking the hill called La Roumiere. Didn't get to an evac hospital (in a barn) until mid night. It was cold and nasty. But I'm still here!

***********

The above entry might be of interest to 1st Bn. members.-Ben

Entry of Jul 17, 2004 at 11:45 [EST]
Name: Robert Cohen
Unit:
EMail: bob.co@wanadoo.fr
How I found the 517th page: Heard from a member of the 517th
Comments: I was just a 8 years old boy in Southern France. I met some veterans of the 517th, with my Jeep association in 1984 in Saint Raphael. I was présent at the 1993 Convention in Niagara Falls, Some veterans of the 517th became very dear friends for ever. Thanks again for coming! God Bless America!

Ted Crawford

Ben,

Thank you for all you have done on the site. I will indeed enjoy showing it to my grandchildren and telling them about what you guys did. I have yet to gather photos from my Uncle Duane Lamb of F Co. He is now 80 years old. When I do, I will send them. Dad and my Uncle Duane enlisted together. Although they were not always together they were able to see each other once in awhile.

Regards,

Ted Crawford

Monte Peloso, Italy today

Dear Ben,

Here are the pictures of Monte Peloso that I promised. As I told you before, the area might have been changed since wartime because of the three big marble quarry on the hillside and the electricity lines of the experimental power station of Forni di Suvereto; People that I interviewed that knew the place before the war seem to remember the hill covered almost completely with olive groves; those are partly left on the side overlooking Suvereto, along with some wineyards (producing the fairly famous "Gualdo del Re" wine). On the side of the river Cornia-where the 517th's attack came from- the hill is covered with thick bushes. Till now I've been doing a superficial survey of the place, but I believe I'll be back there quite soon to have another look.

I would also like to thank you and all the people that responded to my call-Mr. Seitz, Mr. Boyle and Mr. Powell- for the precious help.

My best regards,

Niccolò Tognarini

Pictures of Monte Peloso, Italy today Click on this hyperlink for the photos.