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Born in Roanoke, Virginia, Edwin Crabill attended the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, where he received his B.S. degree and went on to have a lengthy military career. He was a company commander in World War One, a regimental commander in World War Two and commanded troops at Pusan, Korea. He had distinguished himself as Troop Commander, 83rd Infantry Division, 329th Infantry Regiment and was the only regimental commander in the 83rd Division who survived the "hedgerow" debacle in Normandy, France during WWII. Colonel E.B. Crabill was a professional Infantry officer for thirty six years. Buckshot Crabill was nicknamed for his skill on the target range.
Colonel Edwin B. "Buckshot" Crabill earned many decorations, the one he prized most is the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. This sentiment he often shared with his troops as remembered by Bill Spriggs, who served with Crabill in the 329th. "Our CO was a very fine commander but not someone who chased medals for show. He did, however, always tell us the meaning of the Combat Infantryman's Badge. It shows you were in combat and now part of a special group of men. There is a reason, he would say, that the CIB was worn over all other awards, even the Medal of Honor."
Edwin Blake Crabill, US Army Colonel Retired, of Palm Beach Shores, Florida quietly passed away at age 91, at his home on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 1985.
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