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Anthony Crolly was born in New York on June 1, 1919, to William and Clara Crolly. He had three sisters: Rita, Mary and Theresa. The Crollys lived at 367 Oakland Beach Avenue in Rye, New York. Crolly graduated from the Resurrection school, attended Salesian Institute and graduated from Assumption Institute in Plattsburgh. At 24, he enlisted and served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Date of Birth: June 1, 1919
Died On: September 17, 1944
Street Address: 682 Forest Avenue/191 Purchase Street
Service Number: 32895613
Branch of Service: U.S. Army – 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Crolly elected to serve in one of the most dangerous branches of the service and was sent to Fort Benning to become a paratrooper. He was a member of the Service Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division.
Crolly was part of Mission Albany in 1944, an assault that was a part of the American airborne landings in Normandy. 6,928 paratroopers made their jumps from carrier planes into an intended objective area of roughly 15 square miles in the Cotentin Peninsula of France, just five hours before D-Day landings.
He was awarded the Presidential Citation for Bravery displayed in the Normandy invasion.
The 101st Airborne Division would go on to participate in Operation Market Garden in September of 1944. This involved the dropping of paratroopers, both British and American, behind enemy lines to capture the bridges leading into Germany. Unfortunately, the mission was unsuccessful.
As a continuation of Operation Market Garden, the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment attempted its second combat jump in Holland. Once again, the mission failed and they were unable to capture any bridges.
Crolly was just 25 when he passed away while serving his country. More on Crolly.
