William J McCrory (1916 - 1945)

Ancestors

Biography

The son of William McCrory and Anna (Springer) McCrory, William McCrory was born in Westpoint, Tennessee in 1916.^{[citation needed]} He lived there with his family.^[1][2] In 1940, living with his family in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, William worked for the college paper.^[3]

William McCrory registered for the World War II draft when he was 24, registering in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on October 16, 1940.^[4] At the time he registered, he lived with his family at 409 Park Street in Lawrenceburg and attended the State Teachers' College (now known as Middle Tennessee State University) in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He was described at 5'11" tall and 170 pounds with brown hair and grey eyes. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1941.^[5] He was stationed in the Pacific Theatre and perished at Iwo Jima, Japan.

William J. McCrory (Class of 1941), nicknamed "Ug"; by his peers, was an awe-inspiring figure on campus. His toughness, handsome features, and his participation in choir, drama, baseball, and football made him the toast of the campus. He joined the U.S. Marines, serving in 1/9, 3rd Marine Division. Hitting the beach at Iwo Jima in February 1945, witnesses "explained that [McCrory's] company had suffered many casualties during a vicious all-day attack against a formidable enemy defense. They said that prior to digging in for the night, Capt. McCrory learned that the company's right flank was exposed, presenting a serious defensive problem. He made a complete survey under intense small arms, mortar, and artillery fire, and so arranged the defensive position that the troops were afforded ample protection. While returning to his foxhole after the mission, he was hit by a shell fragment. Comrades ran to his rescue but his death was almost instantaneous."

William McCrory received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his courage in battle, and died at the age of 30. He is memorialized at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii (section E, site 544.)^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNPX-T5S : 3 February 2021), William McCrory in entry for William W McCrory, 1920.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SP4Y-B4T : accessed 30 August 2022), William Mccrorey in household of William W Mccrorey, Lawrenceburg, Lawrence, Tennessee, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 12, sheet 4B, line 89, family 90, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2261; FHL microfilm 2,341,995.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9M1-8QWC?cc=2000219&wc=QZXB-GTC%3A792528401%2C793675501%2C800478001%2C952925101 : accessed 30 August 2022), Tennessee > Lawrence > Civil District 8, Lawrenceburg > 50-14 Civil District 8, Lawrenceburg City bounded by (N) city limits, Buffalo Rd, Waterloo, Pulaski; (E) city limits; (S) city limits; (W) city limits > image 6 of 32; citing Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012.
4. ↑ National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Draft Registration Cards for Tennessee, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 193; Order No. 580. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Ancestry Record 2238 #201757320 with attached Image
5. ↑ MTSU Veterans Memorial[1]
6. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #101557042