Master Sergeant John F. Cromwell 35299274

Master Sergeant John Franklin Cromwell 35299274 US Army. He was born on November 5, 1925, the son of Frank Creager Cromwell and Ethel Crossman Cromwell of Napoleon, Ohio. He graduated from Thomas A Devilbiss High School in 1943. At the time of his enlistment he was a student at Bowling Green University. He entered the US Army on January 22, 1944 at the age of 18. At the time of his enlistment, he was 5 foot 10 and a half inches tall weighed 130 pounds had blue eyes and blonde hair. He entered Company G, 253rd Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division, on July 21, 1944.

On April 9, 1945 Staff Sergeant [then Private First Class] John F. Cromwell earned the Silver Star Medal in the vicinity of Stein, Germany. While attacking with, the first platoon of Company G suffered numerous casualties. Sergeant Cromwell took command of his squad when the squad leader was wounded, reorganized it, and led the squad in the attack which ensued, exposing himself to hostile artillery and small arms fire. His quick thinking during this crisis saved the remnants of his squad and inspired his men.

On Aug 25, 1945 he was transferred to the 399th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division. Cromwell was discharged on April 25, 1946 at the rank of Staff Sergeant. After the war he married Betty Werner Cromwell. On Jan 3, 1951 he enlisted in the US Air Force. He would go on to serve in Vietnam and achieving the rank of Master Sergeant. He retired from the Air Force on May 10, 1972. Some of the awards he was awarded include the Combat Infantry Badge, The Silver Star Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, The American Theater of operations Medal, the European Theater of Operations Medal ETO with 2 battle stars, and the World War Two Victory Medal. He died on March 14, 2000 at the age of 74.

https://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=893&mtch=1&tf=F&q=35299274&bc=&rpp=10&pg=1&rid=5633041

U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010

Thomas A Devilbiss High School 1943 yearbook

U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947