Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Donald
Lee
Crowley
1932-07-20

–

2015-01-16

Born:

Yale

, 

Oklahoma

Home:

Stillwater

, 

Oklahoma

Buried: 

Sacramento

, 

California

Cemetery:

Sierra Hills Memorial Park

After graduating from high school, Donald Crowley attended Oklahoma State University and graduated with a degree in Geology. Feeling a call to ministry, he moved with his family to Mill Valley, California, to attend Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. After being ordained a Baptist minister, he felt a call military service, and after enlisting in the U.S. Army and attending the Chaplain Candidacy program at Fort Hood, Texas, he was commissioned a captain in the Army Chaplains Corps. He served three tours of duty as a Chaplain in Vietnam, receiving numerous medals and awards, including three Purple Hearts. He remained on active duty until 1976, when he transitioned into full-time active duty with the California National Guard, subsequently serving as the Chief of Chaplains for California, with the state-recognized rank of Brigadier General. In retirement, he served as an interim pastor for several churches in the Sacramento, California, area.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Batallion:

    4th Battalion

    Regiment:

    9th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    25th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    March 2, 1968

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Donald Lee Crowley, United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Chaplain Crowley distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 2 March 1968, while serving as Chaplain of the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, on a combat mission in the Republic of Vietnam. When his unit came under intense enemy fire and sustained many casualties, Chaplain Crowley carried ponchos and canteens of water to the troops, and assisted in locating the wounded. Chaplain Crowley’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against an enemy force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.