In retirement, Bruce remained in perpetual motion. 52175. A family obituary . The soldiers were pinned down in a tight perimeter. On 14 November 1965, his flight of sixteen helicopters was lifting troops for a search and destroy mission from Plei Me, Vietnam, to Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley. Bruce was an active member of Camp 124 of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, an organization dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of the heroes who fought to save the Union. Bruce died unexpectedly on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, at the exact age of 79. [11], Crandall was inducted into the United States Air Force's "Gathering of Eagles" in 1994, one of only seven Army aviators so honored,[9] and the Army Aviation Hall of Fame in 2004. [3], Crandall graduated from Engineer Officer Candidate School, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, in 1954. After his first medical evacuation, Major Crandall continued to fly into and out of the landing zone throughout the day and into the evening. for Spanish language training in preparation for an Argentine Aviation and Engineering advisor assignment that wasn't to be (a stroke sidelined him and ended his flying career); after recovery he went to Caracas, Venezuela, as the Defense Mapping Agency's director for the Interamerican Geodetic Survey. Throughout the years, he was honored to play Taps at many graveside memorial services and events for various organizations. Receive obituaries from the city or cities of your choice. Ed Freeman - Wikipedia South America was supposed to be his next assignment, and he and Arlene attended the Defense Language Institute, Monterey, CA. Born in 1933,. [9], After an assignment in Colorado, Crandall attended the Armed Forces Staff College. U.S. Army Major Bruce P Crandall was presented the Medal of Honor for military valor during the Vietnam War. [21][22] The resolution passed on April 4, 2006 by a vote of 64 to 14 with several abstentions. Bruce P. Crandall | Military Wiki | Fandom in memory of Bruce Alan Crandall, please visit our floral store. He was obsessed with the descendants of Elder John Crandall, who emigrated from Wales to Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1634 only to be expelled and become one of the seven men named in the charter of the Colony of Providence Plantation and Rhode Island in 1664. Bruce attended elementary schools in both Brazil and the United States. Burial will follow at West Union Cemetery, West Union, Iowa with Military Rites. GLENS FALLS - Bruce E. Crandall, 71, of Glens Falls, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial gifts in Bruces honor to the West Union Recreation Foundation or the United Methodist Church. [6] During the fierce battle that followed, he was credited with evacuating some 70 wounded soldiers, along with his wing man Major Ed Freeman. Bruce enjoyed singing in the choir and occasional trumpet and hand bell performances at both churches. During high school he mixed cement, set pins at the bowling alley, had a paper route and delivered milk. After an assignment in Colorado, he attended the Armed Forces Staff College. Bruce Thorne Crandall Obituary - Times Herald-Record The family would like to extend their deep appreciation to all who went above and beyond to provide comfort and ease at this very difficult time. Major Crandalls voluntary decision to land under the most extreme fire instilled in the other pilots the will and spirit to continue to land their own aircraft, and in the ground forces the realization that they would be resupplied and that friendly wounded would be promptly evacuated.