NOTE: My adopted POW/MIA is Capt. Herbert C. Crosby. His memorial page on the honor guard website is at... http://www.honorguard.org/crosby.html
Jeffrey Smith has been the owner of Capt. Herbert C. Crosby's POW/MIA band (Bracelet) for many years. Jeffery found the memorial page... Here read Jeffery's story for yourself.�
Subject: Capt. Herbert C. Crosby
From: Jeffrey Smith
To: Boyd Fallwell
Boyd:
In 1970, My family and I had just returned from East Pakistan/Bangladesh, EVAC due to the revolution. I was extremely disapointed to find out how Americans were reacting to the return of our troops, because prior to our departure in 1968 families in the Wilmette Illionois area proudly displayed gold and ssilver stars in their windows. Therefore, as a 11 year old I believed it was my responsibility to support our troops in a manner that I believed would counter protesters and show my support. So, I saved my allowance and ordered a POW/MIA band. A few weeks later it arrived in the mail and have owned three of the same every since, ordering new ones when the old one broke. Then I wrote Mrs. Crosby a letter and she replied. She was in college and studying to become a teacher. She and Capt. Crosby had been childhood sweethearts and had married before his departure. In addition she enclosed a photo of Capt. Crosby In-Country dated December of 1969. I still have in my possesion both the letter and photograph. Regretablly, I lost contact with Mrs. Crosby. My family and I moved to Houston, Texas in 1974. It was during the move that my Band became misplaced., but I did not forget Capt. Crosby. While in Washngton in 1996, I took occassion to visit the Vietnam War Memorial and requsted a Memorial rubbing of Capt. Crosby. It was a very sad experience, for so many to give so much and receive the treatment they did for following orders, I found contemptous. Recently I moved again and was cleaning out my attic and came across my POW/MIA band, letter and photograph of Capt. Crosby. I believed it was important to find out any information available about Capt. Crosby, I pass not judgement, He was a man following orders who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I wish I could find his wife and parents to let them know that an American civilian still recognizes and honors the sacrifice a husband, son and brother made for our country. It is with great pride that I wear the POW/MIA band on special occassions, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Memorial Day, 4th of July, and even to my commencement ceremony for my MBA. When people ask what that is and why I wear it my reply is simple, "to remember those who could not be here with us today." Forgive the length of this email. I appreciate your time. Jeffrey Smith