Our dad enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942 and was assigned to the 9th Air Force, 552nd Bomb Squadron. Stationed at Great Dunmow, UK, he was a bombardier and navigator on the BUZZ-N-BITCH II, a Martin B-26 Marauder. Throughout the war he survived 75 missions over France and Belgium. On June 6, 1944, at 6:25am, he flew a carpet-bombing mission over Utah Beach, five minutes before the D-Day invasion was scheduled to begin. 

Our dad earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal, and received a Purple Heart though he was very humble with his accomplishments. He raised 10 children after returning home, enjoyed 46 years of marriage to our mom, Dorothy, and lived his last 15 years in Northville.

- The Crane Family