Raymond R. Crooks

Private, U.S. Army
33375895
157th Infantry Regiment
45th Infantry Division

Oaklyn, New Jersey
Born: 1921
Died: September 13, 1943
Near Paestum, Italy

Buried: Plot J Row 1 Grave 39
Sicily-Rome American Cemetery
Nettuno, Italy

Awards: Purple Heart

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, an older sister Roberta, and two younger sisters, Beatrice and Mildred. The family had made its home at 1015 Sylvan Avenue in Oaklyn, New Jersey.

Raymond Crooks was inducted into the Army from a draft board in Pennsylvania on October 1, 1942. He was assigned to the 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. He went overseas in June of 1943 and 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. His death was reported in the November 5, 1943, edition of the Camden Courier-Post.

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.