Serial Number - 05028
Bremerton, Washington
Commanding officer, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines.
Maj. Crowe, from Boston, Kentucky, was awarded the Navy Cross for actions 20-24 November on Betio:
GENERAL ORDERS:
SPOT AWARD, Commander in Chief Pacific Forces: Serial 0647
CITATION:
"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Major Henry Pierson Crowe, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service while serving as Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, Eighth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, from 20 to 22 November 1943. Courageously leading his Battalion ashore in the face of savage enemy resistance, Major Crowe maintained continuous aggressive pressure for three days from the limited beachhead established by his command in the midst of Japanese emplacements and strongholds. Constantly exposing himself to hostile fire and working without rest, he effectively coordinated the efforts of his own hard-pressed Battalion, attached units and subsequent reinforcement, directing their combined attacks skillfully and with unwavering determination, and succeeded in overcoming one of the most heavily defended Japanese centers of resistance on Tarawa Atoll. Major Crowe's inspiring leadership, brilliant tactical ability and indomitable fighting spirit under extremely perilous conditions reflect great credit upon himself, his valiant command and the United States Naval Service."
Taken from the short Biography of Major Crowe on the now defunct "8th Marines in WWII" website:
Time Magazine November 1944
"Paul Bunyan Of The Marines - The Paul Bunyan of the Marine Corps has pulled through again: 45-year-old "Jim" Crowe has persuaded the doctors to let him go back to war. Leading his battalion of the 8th Marines into a beachhead landing, at Saipan last June, 6 ft., 200 lb. Lieut. Colonel Henry Pierson Crowe came about as close to getting killed as a man can and still live.First a Japanese bullet pierced his left lung. Then he was almost killed by
one of his own men who mistook him for the enemy. Dragged back to a shell hole in the sand near the water, Crowe was treated by a Navy corpsman. There a Japanese mortar shell killed the corpsman; another fragment wounded the doctor who took the corpman's place. By that time mortar and artillery shells were dropping on the beachhead continuously. Crowe covered his chest wound with his poncho and his face with his helment. A shell fragment tore throught the phoncho and pierced his chest in two more places. Five other fragments hit him in the arm, shoulder and leg. A sliver tore off his thumbnail. A doctor who examined him said, "Not much chance." Crowe retruned: "First thing you do, cut off that hanging thumbnail. It's damned annoying."Kentucky-born Jim Crowe came up through the ranks. He was an enlisted man up until 1934, when he became a Marine gunner (warrant officer). After Pearl Harbor, he was commissioned a captain. During his 16 years in the ranks Jim Crowe was famed for two things: he was one of the world's topnotch rifle shots and for six years he was a crack player on the all-Marine football teams. At Guadalcanal, Crowe contributed to to Marine folklore. While leading a charge against the dug-in Japanese he yelled: "Get out of those foxholes, men, you'll never get the Purple Heart layin there!" Crowe received the Silver Star for his actions on Guadalcanal, the Navy Cross on Tarawa and a Purple Heart on Saipan. The medal he is most proud of though is his Good Conduct medal for four enlistments. In San Diego a doctor told Crowe: "Colonel, you owe your life to a strong constitution and good, clean living." Jim just smiled."
"Goddam it,you'll never get the Purple Heart hiding in a foxhole!Follow me!"
Lt Colonel 'Jim' Crowe (1899-1991)One of the most famous members of the 8th Marines in WW2 was Henry Pierson "Jim" Crowe.
Born at Boston,Kentucky in 1899,Crowe enlisted in the USMC after WW1.He saw service in Nicaragua and China and was commissioned as a Gunnery Warrant Officer in 1934.A 'mustang',he attained his Captain's bars after Pearl Harbor.Captain Crowe landed with the 8th Marines at Guadalcanal in November 1942,commanding a Weapons Company.On the 13th January 1943 while leading an attack on Japanese positions Crowe issued his famous "Follow Me" command
("Goddam it,you'll never get the Purple Heart hiding in a foxhole!Follow me!")Promoted to Major and a Battalion Commander in 1943, Crowe lead the 2/8th Marines onto Red Beach 3 at Tarawa in November 1943.His inspiring leadership and disregard for personal safety was a key determinate in holding the beach-head during the traumatic first day of battle on Tarawa.He was awarded the Navy Cross for his
bravery there.On the 15th June 1944 Lt Col Crowe lead the 2/8th ashore onto Saipan and was subsequently badly wounded.His combat service in WW2 was at an end.
Crowe stayed in the Corps and along with Colonel Shoup(MOH Tarawa) made a cameo appearance in the 1949 "Sands of Iwo Jima".When the Korean war broke out in 1950 Crowe commanded the 1st Shore Party
Battalion at Inchon.Crowe retired from the USMC in the late 1950s and later served as Chief of Police of the Portsmouth,Va Police Dept from 1960 to 1969.He retired to live in Portsmouth.
Maj. Crowe's CP on Red Beach 3 was located behind LVT
23.
This LVT stalled out while climbing over the seawall.
Major Crowe, with the map, confers with some officers
on Betio.
Send an Email:
copyright 2001 T.O.T.W.
Created 30 May 2001 - Updated 24 January 2020
Return to Index