Bruce P. Crandall

Bruce Perry Crandall (born February 17, 1933)[2] is a retired U.S. Army officer who was born in Crandall in Olympia, Washington.[3] He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Ia Drang.

Bruce P. Crandall
A monochrome image of a man in a military dress uniform. He is facing the camera and turned slightly to the left.
Crandall in the mid-1960s
Nickname"Snake", "Snakeshit"
Born (1933-02-17) February 17, 1933 (age 91)
Olympia, Washington
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1953–1977
RankColonel[1]
Battles/warsOperation Power Pack
Vietnam War
AwardsMedal of Honor
Distinguished Flying Cross (4)
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal (3)
Air Medal (23)
Relations3 children, 5 grandchildren
Other workCity Manager of Dunsmuir, California
Public Works Manager of Mesa, Arizona

During the battle he flew 22 missions in an unarmed helicopter into enemy fire to bring ammunition and supplies and evacuate the wounded. By the end of the Vietnam War, he had flown over 900 combat missions.

He studied at the University of Washington. After retiring from the Army he worked several jobs in different states before settling down with his wife in his home state of Washington. Crandall was married to Arlene Louise from 1956 until her death in 2010.

Bruce P. Crandall Media

References

  1. Pate, Kelly (April 15, 2010). "Medal of Honor recipient receives promotion to colonel – 30 years after retirement". Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  2. "Medal Of Honor 2011". Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  3. "Biography of Bruce P. Crandall". Archived from the original on April 2, 2012. Retrieved September 23, 2011.

Other websites