Robert Samuel Crooke (1922 - 2016)

Born 19 Apr 1922 in Warrington, Escambia, Florida, United States

Ancestors

Died 23 Feb 2016 at age 93 in Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida

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Biography

Robert Crooke was awarded the Purple Heart.

Robert Crooke was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

Lieutenant Robert Crooke served in the United States Army Air Corps in World War II
Service started: 1943
Unit(s): US Army Air Corps
Service ended: 1945

Robert Crooke was Wounded in Action in Italy, March of 1945. during World War II.

This profile is part of the Crooke Name Study.

Robert Crooke has Irish ancestors.

Robert Crooke has German Roots.

Early Life

Calvin Crooke and Clementine Nelson to their first child of nine children on 19 Apr 1922 in Warrington, Escambia, Florida ^[1]

In 1935, his family still lived in Warrington, Florida, right outside the Pensacola City Limits. His parents owned their home. Robert was the oldest of 5 children at home, and attended 7th grade. ^[2].

5 years later, they still lived in the same place (on Moreno Street). His dad worked as a welder at the Navy Yards. Robert worked as a clerk at Piggly Wiggly Grocery stores. His sister, Betty worked as saleslady in a clothing store. ^[3]

When he registered for the draft in 1942, Robert worked as an electrician^[4] for a Georgia-based company, Western_Electric Western Electric Co. An interesting note, but he and his brother, William Crooke worked in Telecom. ^[5]

Military

In January of 1944, Robert completed 9 weeks of basic flight training at Majors Field in Hunt, Texas and was graduated to the Frederick, Oklahoma Field for advanced flight training. ^[6]

Future 2nd Lieutenants

By February, he was on his way to making 2nd Lieutenant, expecting to receive his commission once he completed training as a bomber pilot. ^[7]

In March of 1945, 7 months into his overseas commission, he was wounded in action in Italy. ^[8]

By the time the war was over, he'd reached First Lieutenant, completed 22 combat missions, received 4 bronze stars, a certificate of valor, the Purple Heart, and an Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. He went on to join the US Air Force Reserves. ^[9]

After the Military

In 1952, Robert worked as an account for the city, acting as a director of finance and continued living on Moreno street. ^[10] He resigned this position in 1953. ^[11]

By 1956, he'd started worked for Chemstrand ^[12] (which would later become Solutia), the company from which he'd later retire. ^[9]

Marriage and Family

On 2 April 1976, "Florida Marriage Index, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VJ2D-SK7 : 28 November 2014), Robert Samuel Crooke and MM9.1.1/VJ2D-SKW:, 02 Apr 1976; from "Florida, Marriage Collection, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2006); citing Florida Department of Health, Jacksonville, Florida; and Jordan Dodd, Liahona Research. he marries in Pensacola, Florida. I do not believe the couple had any children. However, his obituary mentions step-children and grandchildren. ^[9]

Appearance

Robert was about 5'10 with brown hair, blue eyes, and a light complexion. ^[1]

Education

• BS in Industrial Management, Georgia Tech. ^[9]

Death and Burial

February 23, 2016, at the age of 93, Robert passed away with his wife by his side. ^[9] He is buried at Bayview Memorial Park in Pensacola, Florida. ^[13]

Research Notes

Missing 1930 Census

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "Florida, World War II Draft Registration Cards,1940-1945," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2C5-JP3G : 16 August 2019), Robert Samuel Crooke, 30 Jun 1942; records extracted by FamilySearch and images digitized by Ancestry; citing Pensacola, , Florida, United States, Draft Registration, NARA NAID 7644725. Records of the Selective Service System, 1926 - 1975, RG 147. National Archives at St. Louis, Missouri, n.d.
2. ↑ "Florida State Census, 1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNVQ-5WG : 2 February 2018), Robert Crooke in household of Calvin Crooke, Warrington, Escambia, Florida; citing line 3, State Archives, Tallahassee; FHL microfilm 2,425,157
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VTHF-R4F : 26 July 2019), Robert Crooke in household of Calvin S Crooke, Ward 1, Pensacola, Election Precinct 51, Escambia, Florida, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 17-20, sheet 1B, line 66, family 21, 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, roll 585.
4. ↑ ImagePensacola, Florida, City Directory, 1942
5. ↑ "Florida, World War II Draft Registration Cards,1940-1945," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2C5-JP3G : 16 August 2019), Robert Samuel Crooke, 30 Jun 1942; records extracted by FamilySearch and images digitized by Ancestry; citing Pensacola, , Florida, United States, Draft Registration, NARA NAID 7644725. Records of the Selective Service System, 1926 - 1975, RG 147. National Archives at St. Louis, Missouri, n.d.
6. ↑ Pensacola News Journal Pensacola, Florida 16 Jan 1944, Sun • Page 6
7. ↑ Pensacola News Journal Pensacola, Florida 09 Apr 1944, Sun • Page 10
8. ↑ Lt Robert Crooke Wounded in Italy Pensacola News Journal Pensacola, Florida 08 May 1945, Tue • Page 1
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4} Robert Samuel Crooke's Obituary
10. ↑ ImagePensacola, Florida, City Directory, 1952
11. ↑ Three-Platoon Fire Department Causing Manpower Problems Pensacola News Journal Pensacola, Florida 06 Aug 1953, Thu • Page 24
12. ↑ ImagePensacola, Florida, City Directory, 1956
13. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 23 September 2020), memorial page for Robert Samuel Crooke (19 Apr 1922–22 Feb 2016), Find a Grave Memorial no. Find A Grave: Memorial #158650504, citing Bayview Memorial Park, Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida, USA ; Maintained by Alicia Taylor (contributor 49419954) .