Lt. Crecelius enlisted in Evansville, Indiana on 26 September 1940. By June of 1941, he had completed Radio Operators-Mechanics Course, Barksdale Army Air Field, including time at Scott Army Air Field for additional training during this period.

In November 1941, he was in pre-flight training at Kelly Army Air Field, Texas. He then attended flight school at Brayton Flying School, Cuero, Texas, completing Basic Flight Training at Curtis Army Air Field, Texas ? (Class 42F), and Advanced Pilot School at Curtis.

In May 1942, he attended Advanced Twin-Engine training (42-F) at Ellington Army Air Field, Houston, Texas, training in the AT-9 and AT-17 airplanes. He subsequently was awarded the rank of Staff Sgt Pilot effective 7/3/42, Randolph Field, Texas.

Then, he attended various flight training and by December 1942, he was promoted to Flight Officer at Victorville Army Flying School, California (now George AFB).

In April 1943, he flew to Port Moresby, New Guinea serving with the 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Transport Group, 5th Air Force. By the end of September 1943, he was promoted to 2nd Lt..

He flew troop transports all over the area of New Guinea and Northern Australia.

On 19 December 1943, 2nd Lt. Randy Crecelius was the pilot of a C-47 (# 43-30742) ferrying military personnel to bases in Australia, when one engine caught on fire and as the he tried to land the aircraft, it crashed, disentegrating on impact near Rockhampton, Australia. Bad weather at the time.

He was interred in the U.S.A.F. Military cemetery at Belgian Gardens,Townsville. Grave #359.

In 1945, he was re-interred in the U.S.A.F. cemetery at Ipswich, Qld (Brisbane) Manson Park. Grave #661. Finally, in March 1948, he was brought home and buried in the family plot in Warnock Cemetery.

Crew lost:

2nd Lt. William Randall Crecelius (Pilot)

2nd. Lt. John R. Powell (co-pilot)

T/Sgt. John L. Shupe (Engineer)

Sgt. Robert S. Fazio (Radio Operator)

Passengers: (American)

Capt. Orlen N. Loverin, pilot bomber, 499th Bomb Squadron

1st/Lt. George K. Snyder, navigator, 499th Bomb Squadron 2nd/Lt. William B. Graham, co-pilot, 499th Bomb Squadron

TSgt Carlos M. Bane , 5th Airways and Communication Service Squadron

Capt. Robert J. Simons

Major Hoyt A. Ross

Lieutenant Rebecca Williams, US Army Nurse

Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Jack Hayman Staggs, US Navy

CGM Carline, US Navy

Lt. Wm. Samuelson, US Navy

Lieutenant Thomas Smith , US Army Nurse

Lieutenant Ernestine Korranda, US Army Nurse

Chief Warrant Officer Herbert R. Johnson, US Army

Lt. Harry Gillies

Pte Herbert J. Mathias

Sgt Charles Dolan

Passengers:

Australian

William Bramwell Tibbs BEM, Salvation Army Officer/Chaplain

Acting Cpl. William Barry Sleep, 1 Australian L of C Provost Company

Cpl. Thomas William Shard, 1 Australian L of C Provost Company

Pte Benjamin Rasmussen, 1 Australian L of C Provost Company

Capt. John Hugho Weir, HQ 11 Infantry Brigade

Capt. Alexander William Robert Geddes, RAA HQ 9 DIV

Lt. Nigel James Bruce MacDonald, YMCA Welfare Officer

LAC Donald Cantrol Cameron, 36 Squadron RAAF

LAC Raymond Kingsley Oster, 6 Transport and Movement Office, Townsville (RAAF)

Capt. Crawford Derek Mollison, 2/12 Australian Field Regiment RAA

Crecelius, William Randall, 2nd Lt