The movie, based on the book "We Were Soldiers Once and Young" was released in 2002. Bruce eventually identified and traced the final resting places of over 3,200 descendants of Elder John who served on both sides during the Civil War. After his first medical evacuation, Major Crandall continued to fly into and out of the landing zone throughout the day and into the evening. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in the book. Your email will not be used for any other purpose. CITATION His next overseas tours were flying over thousands of square miles of previously unmapped mountains and jungles in Central and South America. [3] Later that year, he was assigned to South Vietnam, where the United States had entered the civil war defending South Vietnam against the Communist North Vietnamese. United States Army Medal of Honor recipient, University of Washington Medal of Honor Memorial, Learn how and when to remove this template message, List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War, "Medal of Honor recipient receives promotion to colonel 30 years after retirement", "Medal of Honor, Vietnam War Major Bruce P. Crandall", United States Army Center of Military History, "Vietnam hero on film gets highest honor for valor", "Mjr. The family would like to extend their deep appreciation to all who went above and beyond to provide comfort and ease at this very difficult time. He was born to Grace (Swale) and Theodore Crandall. Bruce went on to major in history at Gettysburg College, graduating in 1964, and earned his masters degree in 1971 from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Bruce also spent part of every weekday at the Mad Science of the Mid-Hudson office, where his laughter would brighten the day for his son and daughter-in-law's office staff. He and Jean Moss Crandall would have celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary this week. China Relief Expedition (Boxer Rebellion), COPYRIGHT 2023 CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR SOCIETY. If you have questions or comments about any of the information found on this page, please let us know by email or telephone. [21][22] The resolution passed on April 4, 2006 by a vote of 64 to 14 with several abstentions. He was the President of the West Union Country Club, member on the North Fayette School Board, a West Union Ambassador, a Lion, a Jaycee, a Mason, a Shriner, and a West Union Boy Scout leader. BRUCE CRANDALL, USA (1933-): For heroism delivering ammunition and evacuating the wounded at Plie Me, Nov. 14, 1965. I know how much you both meant to each other. Preceded in death by parents; two brothers and one sister. Bruce was a friend to all and loved by all. This week's America250 salute is Army Veteran Bruce Crandall, who a helicopter pilot who rescued 70 wounded soldiers during the Battle of Ia Drang in Vietnam. Grau Funeral Homes has been honored to serve the families and loved ones of these individuals. His high school senior quote was, "Without music, life would be a mistake." Friends may call Tuesday, April 18, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main St., Hudson Falls. [6] During the fierce battle that followed, he was credited with evacuating some 70 wounded soldiers, along with his wing man Major Ed Freeman. They moved to Yonkers in 1992 and then to Goshen in 2003 where he joined the First Presbyterian Church of Goshen. Served in Korea and Vietnam. We pride ourselves in providing you experienced, professional and dedicated funeral home services. Bruce was not busy working, he enjoyed fishing, and hunting with friends. [6], Crandall and Freeman were also credited with flying in the ammunition needed for the 7th Cavalry to survive. Add a photo or a video There is no photo or video of Bruce Crandall. You have permission to edit this article. Bruce received the Friend of Education Award for his work with Dollars for Scholars in 1988 and it was one of his most treasured honors. Crandall's first overseas flying assignment was to Wheelus AFB in Tripoli, Libya, mapping the desert for two years flying YU-1 Otter, L-20 Beaver, L-19 Birddog and H-23 Raven aircraft as an instructor pilot and unit test pilot. While working at the Gettysburg College dining hall, he reprimanded a beautiful woman for the offense of sneaking an extra salad. He was a member of the United Methodist Church and served as its treasurer for many years. www.donovanfunerals.com. Memorials may be sent in care of the family, 115 Union Ridge Drive, West Union, IA. He graduated from the Mountain View High School in 1956. Bruce believed in hard work. U.S. Army Major Bruce P Crandall was presented the Medal of Honor for military valor during the Vietnam War. He officiated at hundreds of track meets throughout the Hudson Valley and was in charge of training for Southern Catskills Track & Field Officials (SOCAT). As the youngest of three brothers, his older siblings, Joseph and Allan, punished him with jokes and frivolity from an early age. Bruce died unexpectedly on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, at the exact age of 79. 16 CAV recently returned from a successful deployment to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.[14]. A Memorial Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Goshen on Saturday, December 18 at 1:00 PM. [17] Ashley Miller said that the University of Washington already had many monuments to "rich, white men"; she claimed to have partial Sioux ancestry. Messages run for up to one year and you Lucille Crandall passed away at age 87 years old in November 1993. The night was pitch dark with an overcast sky, making flying extremely difficult. Funeral service is Saturday April 29, 2023 10:30 am at Greenbrier Church. Though many thought his idea for the park was insurmountable, he pressed forward. [13], On April 15, 2011, Crandall was inducted as an honorary member of 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment. He served as the City Treasurer for 14 years. Bruce is Bruce E. Crandall. Biography: Retired Lt. Col. Crandall is a veteran Master Army Aviator in both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Son of Stanley and Estelle Barton, Bruce was born in Ossining, NY in 1938. He also identified the grave sites of nearly all the members of the 114th New York State Volunteer Infantry (his great-grandfathers regiment) and those of the 124th New York State Volunteers - the Orange Blossoms of local fame. He was to be aviation and engineering adviser to Argentina, but the assignment did not take place as Crandall suffered a stroke which ended his flying career. He was obsessed with the descendants of Elder John Crandall, who emigrated from Wales to Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1634 only to be expelled and become one of the seven men named in the charter of the Colony of Providence Plantation and Rhode Island in 1664. [3], South America was to be his next assignment, and he and his wife Arlene attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, as Spanish-language students in preparation. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. Bruces loving family includes his wife, Marge, children: Jill (Art) Cox of Columbia, Missouri, John (Sue) of Apple Valley, Minnesota, Jane (Tim) Zuck of Appleton, Wisconsin, and Jack (Amy) of De Pere, Wisconsin. Lt. Col. Bruce P. Crandall will receive the Medal of Honor during a White House ceremony February 26, 2007 for his heroic actions in the Battle of Ia Drang. Bruce was born on October 4, 1934, at home in Fayette, Iowa. Bruce was a friend to all and loved by all. Kevin Stitt said Friday that he vetoed the OETA reauthorization bill because the public broadcaster indoctrinates children. as Spanish language students in preparation for an Aviation and Engineering advisor to Argentina - an assignment that never came. For this mission, he was based out of Howard AFB, Panama, and Costa Rica. All Rights Reserved. April 11, 2023 Major Crandall's voluntary decision to land under the most extreme fire instilled in the other pilots the will and spirit to continue to land their own aircraft, and in the ground forces the realization that they would be resupplied and that friendly wounded would be promptly evacuated. He was born in So Paulo, So Paulo, Brazil on July 5, 1998. Would you like to offer Bruce E. Crandalls loved ones a condolence message? The Olympia High School Baseball Field was named after Lt. Col. Crandall in a ceremony during the 2003 season. Grau Funeral Homes, Inc. 2018 All Rights Reserved, Our professional and caring staff is dedicated to working with your family to provide assistance in selecting high quality and affordable funeral services, Our professional and caring staff is dedicated to working with your family to provide assistance in selecting high quality and affordable funeral services during a time, Betty Jean Converse, Postville, Iowa, December 28, 2022, Donald Maynard Larson, Elkader, Iowa, April 21, 2023, Kenneth Edwin Mittelstadt, Elgin, Iowa, April 21, 2023, Arlene Miller, West Union, Iowa, April 21, 2023, Donald Dean Webster, Elgin, Iowa, November 24, 2021, Joseph Anthony Vlazny, Farmersburg, Iowa, February 5, 2021, Dorothy J. Anderson, Elgin, Iowa, February 22, 2021. We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. He passed away April 25, 2023. [1] He attended the June 24, 2013 unveiling of Medal of Honor recipient Leroy Petry's statue in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Photos from the Festival of the Arts in OKC. Born on July 24, 1951, in Glens Falls, he was the son of the late Clayton Crandall. He passed peacefully surrounded by family. Crandall's exploits (along with those of many others) at the Battle of Ia Drang, are depicted in the 1992 book We Were Soldiers OnceAnd Young (by Harold G. Moore and Joseph L. Galloway), and in the related 2002 movie, We Were Soldiers, where he is portrayed by Greg Kinnear. (Claude) of Illinois, Deborah Rozell (Fred) of Granville, Adrian Crandall Major Bruce P. Crandall distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism as a Flight Commander in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st. He attended the University of Washington in Seattle until being drafted into the United States Army in 1953 during the Korean War. For this mission, he was based at Howard Air Force Base, Panama, and Costa Rica. Born on July He then worked in public service jobs, including three years as the city manager of Dunsmuir, California. He became a facility engineer assigned to Bangkok, Thailand where he managed 3,800 people. While medical evacuation was not his mission, he immediately sought volunteers and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, led the two aircraft to Landing Zone X-Ray. Funeral arrangement under the care ofCarleton Funeral Home Inc, Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. 68 Main St, Hudson Falls, NY 12839, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery 1 - 99 North St, Granville, NY 12832. [3] His wife died on November 2, 2010, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. After retiring from the army, Crandall earned a master's degree in public administration from Golden Gate University in 1977. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Lt. Col. Bruce P. Crandall Official military photo, 1965. Celebrate and remember the lives we have lost and share a memory of your loved one. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. July 24, 1951 - [9] He wanted to avoid giving the enemy an illuminated target and risk back-lighting the soldiers defending the landing zone and the wounded soldiers. Born to Dorothy (Taylor) and Joseph Crandall, Bruce was proud to hail from the small town of Earlville, New York. would like to extend their deep appreciation to all who went above and beyond His actions provided critical resupply of ammunition and evacuation of the wounded. Major Crandall then decided to adjust his base of operations to Artillery Firebase Falcon in order to shorten the flight distance to deliver ammunition and evacuate wounded soldiers. Comment * Name. Throughout the years, he was honored to play Taps at many graveside memorial services and events for various organizations. [8], Crandall had just finished a full day supporting the 12th Infantry Battalion on January 31, 1966, during the first combined American and Army of the Republic of Vietnam operation called "Operation Masher". A dual national Brazilian American, he loved his heritage and remained fluent in Portuguese throughout his life. His high school senior quote was: Without music, life would be a mistake.. "It was the longest day I ever experienced in any aircraft," he said. Posted online on April 25, 2023 A unique and lasting tribute for a loved one. As Major Crandall and the first eight helicopters landed to discharge troops on his fifth troop lift, his unarmed helicopter came under such intense enemy fire that the ground commander ordered the second flight of eight aircraft to abort their mission. Search recent US obituaries and condolences. An avid genealogist, Bruce spent countless hours researching the connections of Civil War veterans. He helped to develop air-assault tactics as a platoon leader while assigned to the 11th Air Assault Division. call Tuesday, April 18, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Carleton Funeral Students will recognize heroic actions in civilian and military circumstances and reflect on how their personal decisions can have an impact far greater than they might initially imagine. ~ Address: P.O. [3] At the 20th annual award ceremony, his rescue flights were ranked highest over the first 20 years of the award.[9]. xo An avid genealogist, Bruce spent countless hours researching the connections of Civil War veterans. The average age of a Crandall family member is 74. Bruce is survived by his wife Joyce; sons Dan (Beth) Crandall, Jim (Deb) Davidson, Duff (Natalie) Davidson; daughter Mickey Davidson; sister Carole (Russ) Larson; grandchildren Anthony, Maddie, Anna, Maria, Sarah, Livia, Hanna, Amelia, & Charlie; and his beloved dog, Itsy Bitsy. Bruce was a committed and active member of the Peekskill United Methodist Church for over 20 years. Rosary for Bruce and you as well. Bruce Perry Crandall (born February 17, 1933) is a retired U.S. Army officer who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Ia Drang. Arlene died on November 2, 2010, from cancer. 2023 Peterson Grimsmo Chapel. The story was picked up by some blogs and conservative news outlets, focusing on two statements made by student senators during the meeting. [10], Crandall has received the following military decorations:[3]. He also identified the grave sites of nearly all the members of the 114th New York State Volunteer Infantry (his great-grandfather's regiment) and those of the 124th New York State Volunteers the "Orange Blossoms" of local fame. GLENS FALLS - Bruce E. Crandall, 71, of Glens Falls, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. It was privately funded and was completed in time for a Veterans Day dedication in November 2009. On 14 November 1965, his flight of sixteen helicopters was lifting troops for a search and destroy mission from Plei Me, Vietnam, to Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley. He is survived by : his wife Estela Tumaque-Crandall; his sister-in-law Nemia Tumaque-Holmes-Golden; and his siblings, Sheryl Wilson (Claude) of Illinois, Deborah Rozell (Fred) of Granville, Adrian Crandall (Sandy) of Sevierville, TN, Christine Hall of Hudson Falls, Corby Crandall of Glens Falls and Larry Crandall (Gabrielle) of Glens Falls. It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Bruce Eric Crandall (Jerome, Michigan), born in Hillsdale, Michigan, who passed away on December 27, 2019, at the age of 59, leaving to mourn family and friends. Major Crandalls voluntary decision to land under the most extreme fire instilled in the other pilots the will and spirit to continue to land their own aircraft, and in the ground forces the realization that they would be resupplied and that friendly wounded would be promptly evacuated. Bruce had great vision and he wanted West Union to be an attractive place for young families to raise their children. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Crandall, Jacquelyn Anne Loving mother, grandmother, and great-great grandmother went home to be with the Lord on Saturday March 27th, 2021 at the age of at 86. He was sent to fixed-wing and helicopter training conducted by the air force and army, then he was assigned to an Army Aviation mapping group headquartered at the Presidio of San Francisco. Bruce was born on October 4, 1934, at home in Fayette, Iowa. Bruce E. Crandall Most Popular Whitehall motorcyclist killed in Fort Ann crash Police: Queensbury woman drove drunk with child in her vehicle Vermont woman arrested following car trouble in. He raised the "12th Man" flag for the Seattle Seahawks Minnesota Vikings football game on November 17, 2013, as part of the Seahawks "Salute to Service". Bruce was an active member of Camp 124 of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, an organization dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of the heroes who fought to save the Union. From their union was born two children daughter Melody and son Remy. Bruce graduated from West Union High School in 1953. Bruces banking career began at Merchants National Bank in Cedar Rapids in 1962. Bruce also enjoyed golf, spending winters in Orange Beach, Disney World, and watching Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball. [3], Crandall's next overseas tours were flying over thousands of square miles of previously unmapped mountains and jungles in Central and South America. He was born October 18, 1948 in Houlton, the son of Colby and Jean. He and his wife, Arlene, then moved to Mesa, Ariz., where he served in the Public Works Department for 13 years, the last four as the public works manager. South America was supposed to be his next assignment, and he and Arlene attended the Defense Language Institute, Monterey, CA. Bruce E. Crandall, 71, of Glens Falls, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, A celebration of Bruces life will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at the United Methodist Church in West Union, Iowa. His actions provided critical resupply of ammunition and evacuation of the wounded. He is preceded in death by his father, mother, and daughter-in-law MaryKay Davidson. Born to Dorothy (Taylor) and Joseph Crandall, Bruce was proud to hail from the small town of Earlville, New York. Bruce was known as a strong, quiet, gentle giant of a man, and his presence will be greatly missed. Early in his life, he played the drums in a band with his bandmates. He retired from the army as a lieutenant colonel and worked several jobs in different states before settling down with his wife in his home state of Washington. [18][19] Jill Edwards questioned whether the university should memorialize a person who killed others, summarized in the minutes as saying "she didn't believe a member of the Marine Corps was an example of the sort of person UW wanted to produce. Oakfield - OAKFIELD - Bruce W. Crandall, 65, passed away at a Bangor hospital surrounded by his family on August 12. Many generations of 7th grade students fondly remember his extensive slide show presentations on the historical markers of New York State, his collection of Time Magazine covers and the Joy City project they worked on while in his class. He had four great-grandchildren: Carson, Blake, Lucas and Wilson Cox. 2 Trees, Flowers, or Condolences have been shared with support of Bruce's family -. As Major Crandall flew back to Plei Me, his base of operations, he determined that the ground commander of the besieged infantry battalion desperately needed more ammunition. Visitation will be on Friday, December 17, at Donovan's Funeral Home in Goshen from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. A gathering All Death, Burial, Cemetery & Obituaries results for Bruce Crandall. [5] As of 2011, he lives in Washington. Bruce served his community in many organizations, often taking leadership positions. Crandall served as an aviation consultant during filming in 2001. A burial was held on Tuesday, April 18th 2023 at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery (1 - 99 North St, Granville, NY 12832). Surviving are his wife, Jean Moss Crandall; his daughter Allison Crandall Armieri and favorite son-in-law Brian Armieri of Asheville, N.C.; his son Brian Crandall and favorite daughter-in-law Jennifer Fessler Crandall of Goshen; grandson Dallas Armieri and granddaughters Emma and Mia Armieri and Katie Crandall; and his pandemic recue cat, Chester. At Gettysburg, Bruce began building his encyclopedic knowledge of Civil War scholarship. Required fields are marked *. Bruce It is with great sadness that the family of Bruce Thorne Crandall announce his passing. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Bruce Crandall to pay them a last tribute. By the end of the Vietnam War, he had flown more than 900 combat missions. Bruce Barton, loved husband of Deborah, died peacefully Sunday, August 20 in his home after a 20 year battle with cancer, with friends and family nearby. Soon he was back in Vietnam, this time flying Huey gunships - "a big improvement" -- supporting the 1st Bn., 9th Cavalry Squadron, 1st CAV Div. In his final Army assignment, he served as senior engineer advisor to the California Army National Guard. Born in 1933,. He spent five months in the hospital recovering from a broken back and other injuries, then resumed his career as a student at the University of Nebraska, graduating in 1969. Early in his life, he played the drums in a He enjoyed playing football and basketball during high school. During the battle, he flew 22 missions in a Bell Huey helicopter into enemy fire to evacuate more than 70 wounded and bring ammunition and supplies to United States forces. Number of people Lifespan in years Bruce died unexpectedly on December 12, 2021, at the exact age of 79. This lesson can be completed by students independently, with optional collaboration in a virtual learning environment. Funeral Home website by. Bruce graduated from Earlville Central School in the class of 1960, was captain of the basketball team, and a proud trumpet-playing member of the marching band, dance band, and brass ensemble. That day he completed a total of 22 flights, most under intense enemy fire, retiring from the battlefield only after all possible service had been rendered to the Infantry battalion. [3] He was initially awarded the Distinguished Service Cross,[7] but this was upgraded to the Medal of Honor, awarded by President George W. Bush in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on February 26, 2007. He He joined First National Bank in West Union in 1964. He worked briefly in Eldred and then spent thirty two years as a beloved teacher at Farragut Middle School in Hastings-on-Hudson. In retirement, Bruce remained in perpetual motion.