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PRIVATE RAYMOND R. CROOKS
was born in New Jersey to Robert and Caroline Crooks in 1921. At the time of
the April 1930 Federal census, his father gave his occupation as an
inspector for a railroad. Besides Raymond Crooks, the family included
two older stepsisters, Eleanor (Ella) and Anna, and older sister, Roberta, and two
younger sisters, Beatrice and Mildred. The family had made its home at
1015 Sylvan Avenue in Oaklyn NJ from at least 1930.
Raymond Crooks was
inducted into the Army from a draft board in Pennsylvania on October 1,
1942. At some point
he was assigned to the 157th Infantry regiment, 45th Infantry Division.
He went overseas in June of 1943. He took part in the invasion and conquest of Sicily.
He was
with the 157th when American forces landed at Salerno Italy on September
10, 1943. The 179th Infantry and 157th Infantry engaged in heavy
fighting at Ponte Sele and the Tobacco Factory. On September 13, 1943
Private Crooks was killed in action at the age of 22 near Paestum, Italy.
He was survived by his parents and five sisters, Mrs. Eleanor Whiteside
of New York, Mrs. Anna Gennett, Mrs. Roberta Trescilla, Miss Beatrice
Crooks, and Miss Mildred Crooks, all of Oaklyn. His death was reported
in the November 5, 1943 edition of the Camden Courier-Post.
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