Rawson Crothers, was born in Dracut Massachusetts but grew up in Littleton Massachusetts.He joined the Army in 1943. Went through Basic Training at Camp Blandon. He was sent to Fort Meade and shipped out to Naples Italy.

Served with the 88TH INFANTRY DIVISION, BLUE DEVILS.

AWARDS INCLUDE THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL, THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION MEDAL, THE EUROPE-AFRICA-MIDDLE EAST CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AS A SERGEANT, RECEIVED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE IN 1945, AFTER TURNING DOWN A BATTLE FIELD PROMOTION TO SECOND LIEUTENANT IN ORDER TO REMAIN WITH THE MEN IN HIS PLATOON IN BATTLE.

Rawson is a kind hearted and humble man whose favorite holiday is Memorial Day. Every year he puts on his WWII uniform [original] and participates in the parade at Littleton, MA. He used to carry the flag for the color guard but ill health has forced him to pass that honor to his son John, a Vietnam veteran and third generation color guardsman. Rawson's father having that honor until he too was also no longer able.

Rawson , like most WWII veterans, has some amazing stories to tell…not of the horrors of war but of the friendships made and the memorable moments they shared. One of my favorite stories is not about anyone in particular, but about a ritual carried out by British troops he had the opportunity to know. Rawson and I are both avid tea drinkers and I figure he got his taste for it from the British troops who according to him stopped every day, no matter what or where, to observe "tea time". While I'm sure it was not a formal affair given the circumstances I am told that they [British troops] made their tea in galvenized barrels. The inside of which were supposedly never washed so as not to give the tea a metalic taste.

Submitted by: CJ Bagley ~ Daughter- in- law

Rawson M Crothers