Rank: Major
Unit: 919th Engineer Company, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 1380
Awards: Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device and Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device and Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Unit awards: Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Enlisted by: Regular
Date of birth: 20-Jan-1937
Hometown: Monroe, Louisiana
Marital status: Married to Star S. Crocker
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Entered service: 22-Feb-1960
Start of tour: 6-Aug-1966
Incident date: 15-Jul-1967
Date of casualty: 15-Jul-1967
Age at death: 30
Cause of death: Hostile, Died. Explosive Device. Other explosive device.
Donald Jack Crocker died as the result of metal fragment wounds received when vehicle in which he was passenger was hit by hostile mine.
Four Blackhorse troopers died in this incident:
MAJ Donald Jack Crocker
MSG Everett August Herritz
PFC Harry Allen Kelly
PFC Donald Paskowicz
Location of fatality: Phuoc Tuy, South Vietnam
Place of interment: Kilpatricks Serenity Gardens, West Monroe, Louisiana, USA
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BRONZE STAR MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE AND SECOND OAK LEAF CLUSTER
POSTHUMOUS
CAPTAIN DONALD JACK CROCKER, ENGINEER CORP
15 JULY 1967
919TH ENGINEER COMPANY (ARMORED)
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Captain Crocker distinguished himself by valorous actions on 15 July 1967, while serving as Commanding Officer on a hazardous mission to repair a bridge which had been washed out by torrential rains. The bridge was located on the main supply route to a rock quarry and fire support base located in Gia Ray, Republic of Vietnam. Immediately organizing the effort to repair the bridge, Captain Crocker utilized equipment from several engineer units located within the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment base camp. After completing the complex task of organizing the mission, Captain Crocker moved the convoy approximately four kilometers from the objective, where enemy attack appeared imminent. Repeatedly disregarding his personal safety by fully exposing himself to potential enemy positions, Captain Crocker moved his vehicle to the front of the convoy to personally conduct further reconnaissance of the bridge site. While in this position, an enemy Claymore mine was detonated to his rear, killing Captain Crocker instantly, Throughout the incident, Captain Crocker’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division General Orders No. 3758 (30 July 1967)
ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE AND OAK LEAF CLUSTER
CAPTAIN DONALD JACK CROCKER, ENGINEER CORP
23 FEBRUARY 1967
919TH ENGINEER COMPANY (ARMORED)
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Captain Crocker distinguished himself on 23 February 1967, while serving with his unit, the 919th Engineer Company, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. As dusk settled, a grass fire ignited outside the Regiment Base area, flaring dangerously near three 105 millimeter howitzer rounds that had been previously damaged and had been considered unsafe to move. The grass fire detonated a powerful anti-personnel mine alerting Captain Crocker to the extreme danger of more rounds or mines possibly concealed in the area. Realizing the catastrophic effect of the defective howitzer rounds being detonated, Captain Crocker disregarded his own safety in order to put out the fire. With flames all about him, Captain Crocker worked furiously, braving the heat in order to save the lives of his men. Due to his valiant efforts, the fire was finally quelled. Captain Crocker’s courage and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division General Orders No. 2079 (1 July 1967)