TERRIL NEWS
LeRoy D. Cruse of Terrill, who was inducted in the service and sent to Ft. Des Moines, August 7, has been sent to Camp Grant, Ill., for 13 weeks of basic training in the Medical Replacement Training Center.
Source: The Spirit Lake Beacon, Spirit Lake, Iowa, Thursday, August 14, 1941, Page 5
WITH THE FORCES
Leroy Cruse of Terril to Corporal
Leroy Cruse of Fort Sam Houston, Texas, writes that he was made a corporal the first of April.
Source: The Spirit Lake Beacon, Spirit Lake, Iowa, Thursday, April 16, 1942, Page 9
Leroy Cruise of Terril has been enjoying a 15-day furlough from Ft. Sam Houston, Texas.
Source: The Spirit Lake Beacon, Spirit Lake, Iowa, Thursday, April 23, 1942, Page 7
Terril Youth In Air Crew Class In Texas
Among the eight Iowa men now in training in the current air-crew classes at Ellington Field, Texas, is Aviation Cadet (Navigator) Leroy D. Cruse, 27, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Cruse of Terril. The county youth is one of the Iowa men training at the world’s largest multi-motor flying school.
Cruse is a graduate of the Terril school and before he began his training worked as a carpenter, storekeeper and oil station operator in Terril.
At Ellington they are undergoing intensive training to fit them for posts on the finest combat precision team, the air crew. The air crew, consisting of pilot, navigator and bombardier, all receive their training at Ellington, where they learn the basic rules of bombardiering and navigation. From there they will go to an advanced bombardment school, from which they will receive their commissions as second lieutenants in the U. S. Air Force reserve.
Source: The Spirit Lake Beacon, Spirit Lake, Iowa, Thursday, August 06, 1942, Page 1
Leroy “Bud” Cruse has been promoted to Staff Sgt. His papers came just after he was transferred to Grand Island, Nebr.
Source: The Spirit Lake Beacon, Spirit Lake, Iowa, Thursday, April 08, 1943, Page 3 (photo included)
News Letter In Terril Vicinity
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Cruse received a telegram Thursday from Staff Sgt. Leroy “Bud” Cruse telling that he had arrived safely and was fine. They do not know as yet where he is stationed but presume he is in the battle area. Leroy is a tail gunner on a bomber.
Source: The Spirit Lake Beacon, Spirit Lake, Iowa, Thursday, September 02, 1943, Page 3
Staff Sgt. LeRoy Cruse Awarded Oak Leaf Cluster
An Eighth AAF Bomber Station, England – Staff Sgt. LeRoy D. Cruse of Terril tail gunner on a Flying Fortress, has been awarded an Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal from “meritorious achievement” on ten bomber combat missions over enemy Europe, it was announced recently by Col. Eugene A. Romig of Byesville, Ohio commanding officer at this station.
The citation accompanying the award read in part: “The courage, coolness and skill displayed by this enlisted man upon these occasions reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.”
Sgt. Cruse, 28 years old, who previously was decorated with the Purple Heart for wounds received in action, entered the service August 4, 1941. A construction worker in civilian life, he is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Cruse of Terril.
Source: The Terril Record, Terril, Iowa, Thursday, March 09, 1944, Page 1
AN EIGHTH AAF BOMBER BASE ENGLAND – Staff Sgt. LeRoy D. Cruse, Terril, Iowa, tail gunner on a Flying Fortress, has been decorated with a second Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal for “meritorious achievement” on 15 bomber combat missions over enemy occupied Europe.
The citation accompanying the award read in part: “The courage, coolness and skill displayed by this enlisted man on these occasions reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.”
Sgt. Cruse, 29 years old, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Cruse, of Terril. Before entering the service on August 4, 1941 he did construction work for his father, a contractor.
Source: The Terril Record, Terril, Iowa, Thursday, May 11, 1944, Page 1
Third Oak Leaf Cluster Awarded to LeRoy Cruse
An Eighth AAF Bomber Station, England – A third Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal has been awarded Staff Sgt. LeRoy D. Cruse of Terril, air gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress, for “meritorious achievement” on bomber attacks on enemy Europe.
The citation accompanying the award read in part: “The courage, coolness and skill displayed by this enlisted man upon these occasions reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.”
Sgt. Cruse, 29 years old, a veteran of more than a score of combat missions, has been decorated previously with the Purple Heart for wounds received in action. He was a construction worker before entering the service August 4, 1941. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. Mike Cruse.
Source: The Terril Record, Terril, Iowa, Thursday, June 01, 1944, Page 1
LeRoy Cruse Reported Missing In Action
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Cruse got a telegram from the War Department June 22 that their son LeRoy, a tail gunner, was missing in action over France as of May 28. A few days later they got a letter from a boy who was in the plane right behind them telling them that an engine was shot out of Bud’s plane and the plane was going down slowly. It was not afire and they had hopes that the crew would have time to parachute to safety. No other word has come and it is safe to say that all are hoping, with his parents and other relatives, that the next work will be good word.
News of this was held up because his mother was very ill at the time and it was not thought wise to advise her of the word “missing in action.” Before she came home from Sioux City, however, she found out about it and is taking it very bravely. The only other child, Evelyn, Mrs. Kenneth Tuel of Colorado Springs, Colo., was with her mother for a couple weeks but has returned to her work.
Mrs. Cruse is slowly recuperating from her two major operations.
Source: The Terril Record, Terril, Iowa, Thursday, September 28, 1944, Page 1
LEROY CRUSE IS NOW REPORTED AS KILLED IN ACTION
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Cruse of Terril have been advised by a message from the Red Cross that their son, S. Sgt. LeRoy Cruse, was killed in action. They had previously been advised that he was missing in action.
The youth was a tail gunner with a B-17 bomber crew, stationed in England. He received the purple heart decoration last year for wounds received in combat.
He was reported missing some time ago while on a mission over Germany.
Source: The Milford Mail, September 28, 1944
LeRoy D. Cruse Killed in Action
Word was received here by Mr. and Mrs. Mike Cruse Monday, September 25 that their son was killed in action over Germany May 28, 1944.
LeRoy was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Cruse and was born in Terril April 26, 1915. He attended the local school and graduated in 1933. After that he helped Mike in carpenter work until he entered the service August 4, 1941. He was sent to Camp Grant, Illinois, where he served in the Medical department.
In April, 1942 he joined the Air Corps and after his training in the states, he was sent overseas, arriving a tail gunner on a B-17 with the 8th Air Force. He was reported missing over Germany May 28.
Since that time, family and friends have been hoping that he would be heard from, as a prisoner, or would have landed in one of the occupied countries and be safe.
The word received Monday comes as a very great shock to his parents. Mrs. Cruse has been far from well and was in a hospital in Sioux City at the time the word came that he was missing. She just came home from Rochester Saturday. Mike has been in constant attendance on Della, being with her both at Sioux City and Rochester. Of the immediate family there is but one sister, Mrs. Evelyn Tuel of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
LeRoy or “Buddy” as he was more familiarly known, was a clean cut boy who has grown up in our town and whom we all knew and loved. There are none of us but can look back and have a pleasant memory of some association with “Buddy Cruse.” He was one of the first from here to enter the service and while in the states was home a few times on a furlough. Every time he was home, he tried to see all his friends.
Words can not help, and we can not see to write more any way. May God keep all parents and families during this time and give us strength and knowledge to understand the meaning if these things.
Source: The Terril Record, Terril, Iowa, Thursday, October 05, 1944, Page 1
MEMORIAL SERVICES WERE HELD SUNDAY FOR LEROY D. CRUSE
Memorial services were held at the Methodist church Saturday afternoon for LeRoy Desmond Cruse who was killed in action over Germany May 28. When word came on that date, all of us at home hoped for the best, but the final word came from the war department on September 25.
LeRoy Desmond Cruse, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Cruse was born in Terril April 26, 1915 and spent all his life here up to the time he entered the service of his country in August 1942. After his preliminary training in the medical department he joined the army air corps in April 1942 and was sent overseas in August. He was a tail gunner on a B-17, a very hazardous position.
The services Sunday were in charge of the Terril and Arnolds Park American Legion and were conducted by Rev. Nelson of the Methodist church. Mrs. Mabel Krieger presided at the piano and the three Hewitt girls, now Mrs. Everett Maas and Mrs. Andy Reinken and Eva Hewitt sang. The two latter were classmates of LeRoy when he graduated in 1933. The services Sunday depicted the sympathy for the loved ones here fulfilled his mission for "greater love hath no man than this, that a man give his life for his friends."
The united Service Women, an organization of wives, mothers, sisters and daughters of the service men of this war, attended in a body to show their sympathy and respect to those who are here to mourn.
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Staples and son, Dick, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Frerk, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Snelling, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Staples, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Staples, Mr. and Mrs. John Galles, Mrs. Leona Timmerman, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Koob, all of Slayton, Minn. and Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Mundel of Wyndmere, N. Dak., Frank Cruse of Winthrop, Minn., Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Cruse of Spencer, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Smith of Sioux City, Elwood Cruse of Des Moines, John Eldon Cruse, U. S. Navy, Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Loeschen and Terry of Spirit Lake, Hilda Cruse of Ruthven. A WAC was also in attendance. Kenneth Tuel from Indiantown Gap, Pa., came Sunday morning to be with his wife and her family.
Source: The Terril Record, Terril, Iowa, Thursday, October 12, 1944, Page 1 (photo included)
S. Sgt. Cruse Receives Purple Heart Posthumously
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Cruse received the following letter Tuesday from Henry L. Stimson, notifying them that their son, LeRoy D. Cruse, had been posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. It would be sent in a few days. LeRoy had already received the Army Air Force Medal and four Oak Leaf clusters for bravery.
The Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.
October 31. 1944
My dear Mr. Cruse:
The President has requested me to inform you that that Purple Heart has been awarded posthumously to your son, Staff Sgt. LeRoy D. Cruse, Air Corps, who sacrificed his life in defense of his country.
The medal, which you will receive shortly, is of slight intrinsic value, but rich with the tradition for which Americans are so gallantly giving their lives. The father of our country, whose profile and coat of arms adorn the medal, speaks from it across the centuries to the men who fight today for the proud freedom he founded.
Nothing the War Department can do or say will in any sense repair the loss of your loved one. He had gone, however, in honor and the goodly company of patriots. Let me, in communicating to you the country’s deep sympathy, also express to you its gratitude for his valor and devotion.
Sincerely yours,
Henry L. Stimson
Source: The Terril Record, Terril, Iowa, Thursday, November 09, 1944, Page 1
Mike Cruses Receive Letter From War Department
The following letter was received by Mike Cruse the first of the week.
War Department, Washington, D.C.
Mr. Mike Cruse, Terril, Iowa
I am writing to you concerning your son, Staff Sergeant LeRoy D. Cruse.
The grief you have suffered since receiving the sad announcement of your son’s death is most understandable and realizing that anxiety you have been occasioned by the absence of more definite information regarding him, I know you will be interested in a message recently received in the War Department form the Commanding General of the European Theater concerning developments which may occur at future War Crimes Trials. The message states that the case of the United States versus “Richard Wegmann” is being prepared for trial in connection with evidence which indicates that a person believed to be Sergeant Cruse was taken prisoner in the vicinity of Elm, Germany, on or about 28 May 1944 and that he was shot later the same day by a German national believed to be the defendant in this case. I regret that more detailed information is not available at this time however, I wish to assure you that you will be promptly notified upon receipt of any additional reports pertaining to the case of your son.
I am indeed sorry that to date the conditions of warfare have denied you complete knowledge of the circumstances attending the fate of you son and it is my hope that complete information concerning him will eventually become available. My deepest sympathy is with you in the loss you have been called upon to bear.
Edward F. Witsell
Major General, The adjutant General
Source: The Terril Record, Terril, Iowa, Thursday, May 09, 1946, Page 1
Military Rites to be Held for Sgt. Cruse
Military rites will be observed in funeral services Friday afternoon here for Sgt. LeRoy Cruse whose body is being returned from Germany.
Services will be conducted at two o’clock in the Terril Methodist church and burial will be in the Terril cemetery under the direction of the Cobb Warner Funeral home.
Sgt. Cruse was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Cruse of Terril. A sister Mrs. Kenneth Tuel, is a Spencer resident.
Source: The Terril Record, Terril, Iowa, Thursday, January 27, 1949, Page 1
Military Rites Held For LeRoy Cruse
Military services were held Monday afternoon at the Methodist church in Terril for LeRoy Cruse, whose remains were brought back from overseas for burial. Rev. Hutchings had charged of the services at the church and the American Legion paid tribute to a departed comrade at the graveside service.
LeRoy Cruse was born April 26, 1915. He spent all his life in Terril up to the time he entered the service of his country in August, 1941. He graduated from the Terril school with the class of 1933.
LeRoy was one of the first from this community to enter the service. After preliminary training in the medical department, he joined the Army Air Corps in April 1942. He was sent overseas in August, 1943, and was killed in action over Germany May 28, 1944. Sgt. Cruse was a tail gunner on a B-17 with the 8th Air Force and was on his 27th mission.
LeRoy was baptized March 15, 1925 and received in membership in the Methodist church.
He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Cruse and one sister Mrs. Kenneth (Evelyn) Tuel of Spencer.
Pall bearers were Howard Hewitt and Ralph Layman of Spencer, Paul Namtvedt of Spirit Lake, Gerald Taylor, Weldon Lewis and George Sands.
Relatives from a distance here for the services were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Staples, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Staples, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Paal, Mrs. Fred Staples, Mrs. Henry Koob and Mrs. Walter Frerk of Slayton, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cruse and Mr. and Mrs. Glen Cruse of Winthrop, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Bert Knowlton of Luverne, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Smith of Sioux City, Mr. and Mrs. John Cruse and Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Tuel of Spencer and Elwood Cruse of Spirit Lake.
Source: The Terril Record, Terril, Iowa, Thursday, February 03, 1949, Page 1
***Further Research:
LeRoy Desmond “Bud” Cruse was born Apr. 26, 1915 to Michael Robert and Della Mae Staples Cruse. He died May 28, 1944 and is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Terril, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
