WWII veteran celebrates 100th birthday
Trending
As Robert L. Crouse, Jr. turned 100 years old on August 31, he was surrounded by 75 family members and friends at the United Methodist Church in South Williamsport. Crouse also had something else to celebrate. He is a World War II veteran, whose service preserved America's freedoms so the nation could now honor its 250th birthday.
Born in Williamsport in 1926, Crouse entered the Navy in 1943 at 17 years old, when he was only half way through his senior year in high school. He trained as a machinist mate and was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Pondera, an attack ship in the Pacific Theater.
"I would do it over again," said Crouse, as he sat in his Loyalsock home days before his birthday party.
Sitting next to Crouse is a hand crafted model of the Pondera, made by another WW II veteran. While serving on the ship in May 1945, Crouse came dangerously close to losing his life, when the Pondera was stationed off Okinawa.
"One night, a Kamikaze boat came and sank the cargo ship next to us," said the veteran. "Tokyo Rose may have saved my life."
Crouse was referring to Tokyo Rose, which was a group of Japanese, female broadcasters who disseminated propaganda. Crouse said the group had broadcast a warning that the Pondera was targeted for attack.
"If she had kept her mouth shut, it would have been a different story," said Crouse.
The Pondera crew rescued the survivors of the cargo ship called the Carina, during the dead of night. Six people were injured but there were no casualties.
After Crouse served four years in the Navy, he went on to join the naval reserves for nine years. As a civilian, he managed three drive-in theaters locally and was an entrepreneur servicing fire extinguishers. In addition, he was with the United States Postal Service for 25 years.
Somehow, Crouse managed to squeeze in some time for his favorite hobby – riding motorcycles. He often mans the Christian Motorcycle Association's booth at the 9/11 Memorial Coalition's annual motorcycle ride.
In advance of Crouse's 100th birthday, congratulations have been pouring in via mail. President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump sent a letter on White House stationary writing, "As we celebrate 250 glorious years of American independence, your American century is a proud part of our nation's remarkable story."
At his birthday party, State Representative Jamie Flick presented Crouse with a legislative citation.
"I was honored to present Mr. Robert Crouse, Jr. a citation from the House of Representatives to recognize not only his milestone 100th birthday, but to honor his brave service to our country," said Flick. "Talking with Mr. Crouse brought to mind my own grandfather who fought in the Battle of Belleau Wood in France in WWI. He was a casualty of that conflict and so the sacrifice and dedication of Mr. Crouse to fight for our freedom in WWII is not lost on me. I wish him the best heading into the next century of his remarkable life."
Crouse smiled broadly as he blew out the candles on his cake. Cell phones surrounded him and clicked away.
Crouse offered up some advice on how to live to 100 years old.
"Wanna know my formula?" he asked. "I don't eat fast food, don't drink water and I don't exercise."
Crouse's daughter Barb Barret chuckled at the last piece of the formula saying, "He never stopped being active, especially as a mail carrier. That's why he lived to be a 100."
Crouse survived his two wives Kathleen Crouse and Darlene Crouse. He is the father of Barbara Crouse Barrett, Michael Crouse, Richard Crouse, Tom Crouse and stepfather to Jerry Knee. He has seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
His daughter Barb Barret said, "My dad taught us all some great work ethics and valuable lessons along the way. He and my mother, Kathleen Crouse, put four children through four years of college, with three brothers attending Penn State at the same time. Education, hard work and life-long learning were important principles to have while growing up in our family."