Heard Saturday at 1 p.m. on KMJ 580
July 31, 2010: Bill Crumpacker of Fresno, CA. Fought
with the First Marine Division on Tarawa, Saipan, and
Tinian. He somehow survived the carnage at Tarawa,
where he had to wade several hundred yards to shore
when the Navy's boats were hung up on reefs. To the
right, you see Bill as a smiling young Marine. Below, he
is in the second bed from the right, recovering from his
wounds at a hospital in New Caledonia.
with the First Marine Division on Tarawa, Saipan, and
Tinian. He somehow survived the carnage at Tarawa,
where he had to wade several hundred yards to shore
when the Navy's boats were hung up on reefs. To the
right, you see Bill as a smiling young Marine. Below, he
is in the second bed from the right, recovering from his
wounds at a hospital in New Caledonia.
Click play to listen
A retired schoolteacher, Bill continues to educate
through his volunteer work at the Veterans Memorial
Museum, Home of the Legion of Valor. He has been
a docent there since the museum opened more than
20 years ago. The plaque under that giant purple
heart medal bears the name of Fresno County
veterans who have received that decoration. Bill
Crumpacker's name is the first name on the list.
through his volunteer work at the Veterans Memorial
Museum, Home of the Legion of Valor. He has been
a docent there since the museum opened more than
20 years ago. The plaque under that giant purple
heart medal bears the name of Fresno County
veterans who have received that decoration. Bill
Crumpacker's name is the first name on the list.