Crandall, Robert Vernon, Lt Col

REMEMBRANCE IN PROGRESS - SUBJECT TO CHANGE
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This profile is based upon, and credited to, the research of USMF member Frank_Smith (user name) who collected a grouping named to this officer which may be seen at: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=60590&hl=
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"I purchased this grouping from the directly from the family in 2001. According to what they told me, Robert V. Crandall joined the Army in 1940 and ended WWII as a Warrant Officer serving with Army (Signal Corps) Intelligence. When the Air Force separated from the Army in 1947, he became an Air Force Officer and remained in intelligence, primarily involving communications and photo reconnaissance. From August 1960 to June 1963, Captain Crandall served as the Assistant Secretary for Joint Chiefs of Staff Matters, Directorate of Plans, Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, Headquarters, United States Air Force. For service during this period, Crandall was awarded the Commendation Medal (Army type). He was then transferred to the Air Force Academy where he served as the Deputy Director and Director of Administrative Services. While serving in this capacity from July 1963 to May 1968, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and awarded his second Commendation Medal (Air Force type). He went on to serve as the Chief, Publishing Division, and as Deputy Director, Directorate of Administration, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces from June 1968 until is death (I believe of natural causes) on 7 April 1972. For his service during this period, he was posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit.

As you can tell by the pictures, the grouping is rather extensive and contains the following items:

1. Crandall?s 1938 annual from Riverside Polytechnic High School.
2. Many ID cards from the various phases of his service. The ones from Spain are most interesting. There are also a few photos of him in uniform (primarily from WWII) and training photos.
3. A large older style certificate awarding Captain Crandall the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award while serving with the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, (M), Photo. The document has been folded.
4. The citation and certificate in the original folder for his 1st Commendation Medal.
5. The citation and certificate in the original folder for his 2nd Commendation Medal.
6. A small booklet describing the Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel.
7. The orders, citation, and certificate in the original holder for his posthumous Legion of Merit. There are also approximately seven onion skin copies of both the citation and orders that come in a Pacific Air Forces folder that is named to LTC Crandall.
8. LTC Crandall?s Certificate or Retirement and Retirement Order in the original large blue folder.

The medals with lot include the following:

1. Crandall?s posthumous crimp broach Legion of Merit that comes in a period Arrow style case with a ribbon bar, lapel pin, and original foam padding. The medal in engraved on the reverse with the initials, ?RVC?.
2. Crandall?s first issue Army type crimp over slot broach Commendation Medal that comes in a clear (1950?s) plastic case with a ribbon bar and a lapel pin. The case comes in its gray colored protective bag and its shipping box. The medal is engraved in a script style to, ?R. V. Crandall?.
3. Crandall?s crimp broach Air Force Commendation Medal that comes in a clear (1950?s) plastic case with a ribbon bar and a lapel pin. The case comes inside a blue colored protective bag and its shipping box that has ?Crandall? written in pencil on the lid. The medal is officially machine engraved to ?ROBERT V. CRANDALL?.
4. A WWII slot broach Army Good Conduct Medal in its original box (box damaged).
5. A WWII American Campaign Medal in the original Heckethorn box with a ribbon bar.
6. A WWII Victory Medal in the original J. R. Wood Products 1946 dated box with a ribbon bar (box damaged).
7. A 1st strike National Defense Medal in its Daniel Smilo & Sons box with a ribbon bar.
8. An early strike of the Air Force Armed Forces Reserve Medal in the original Daniel Smilo & Sons box with a ribbon bar.
9. A Korean Service Medal with two ribbon bars in the 1955 dated Medallic Art Company box (box damaged).
10. A UN Korean Service Medal in the original box.
11. A beautiful mounted set of Crandall?s miniature medals in the original box.

There is also Crandall?s evening dress bow tie and a box containing the following:

1. A matched pair of early USAF Officer Devices.
2. A WWII Ruptured Duck.
3. A pair of USAF cuff links.
4. Several USAF buttons and hat screw buttons.
5. A matched set of pin back VWF devices (perhaps his father?s?).
6. Several ribbon bars and devices (clusters & stars) that have not been mounted.
7. Two name tags.
8. Three sheets of negatives that appear to be from WWII.

I?m sure that I?m failing to describe some of the items that come with the group.

The other than what I have pointed out, everything is in excellent shape showing only light storage age.

This is a nice and affordable named officers grouping to an individual who gave over 32 years of his life serving his country..."

Frank_Smith
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