W Crouch

LCDR W L "Babe" Crouch, USN ret was promoted to His Lord's Highest Service on Thursday, November 17, 2016. His family was with him to bid Fair Winds and Following Seas for his final journey.

LCDR Crouch was 91 years old. He was born on September 25, 1925, in Wilson, Oklahoma to Leo and Audrey (Guy) Crouch. The family moved to Kilgore, TX in 1932 and he enlisted from there into the Navy in September of 1943. He often recounted his Recruit Training experience at NAS Corpus Christi - Hanger 41. There were 1100 men that trained by the Marines for 2 weeks and 5 days.

LCDR Crouch was a veteran of five military campaigns - World War II, Korea, Viet Nam, Azores, and Cuba. His Duty Stations included NAS Corpus Christi (3), NAS Kingsville, USS SAGAMORE (ATA-208), USS MINDORA (CVE-120), FASRON 102, USS WRIGHT (CVL-49), Limited Duty Officer School, NS Sangley Point, Bureau of Naval Weapons, VS-25 Anti-Submarine Warfare Squadron on the USS YORKTOWN (CVE-10), NAS Cube Point, and HC-3 NAS North Island.

LCDR Crouch is authorized the following ribbons: Expert Pistol Shot Medal; Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal; Korean Service Medal; Navy Achievement Medal; United Nations Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Good Conduct Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Champaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; American

Campaign Medal; Navy Occupation Medal (European Class); Vietnam Campaign Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Armed Expedition Medal; Naval Safety Excellence Ribbon and Navy Commendation Medal.

LCDR Crouch joined the Navy League's Naval Sea Cadet program in 1973 and continued in the program until 2016. He wore his Navy Uniform for over 70 years. He served as Sea Cadet National Vice President; Southwest Field Representative of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana; Southwest Regional Director; Navy League National Board of Directors; Commanding Officer of the Alamo Division and Training Ship Alamo and Regional Director for Region 8-5 and Recruiting Officer for TEXAS Division. He was a Life Member of the Navy League and a member of the Boards of the Alamo Council, Corpus Christi Council, Ingleside Council and the Kingsville Council

In 1998, LCDR Crouch was awarded the Secretary of the Navy Superior Public Service Award through the Navy League of the United States for projecting a positive image of the United States Navy to the youth of today For eight years (from 2004- 2012) LCDR Crouch and his wife, LCDR Suzy Williams, NSCC, conducted 54 weeks of training, with up to 120 cadets at a time: Recruit Trainings (including the first NSCC 10-Day model and first NSCC Spring Break Recruit Training ), Ceremonial Honor Guard Training, Master-At-Arms Training, and Air Traffic Control Training. In 2004, he was named an Admiral in the Texas Navy and cited as a beacon of hard work, dedication, and impeccable service to the United States Navy, the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps, and his country.

In 2002, Babe Crouch joined the First Baptist Church in Rockport, TX and was baptized by Pastor Walter Knight. He loved his Church activities including the Emmanuel Sunday School Class, the Men's Friday Morning Breakfasts and especially, the Jail Ministry. He touched many lives with his straight military manner and Positive Attitude.

LCDR Babe Crouch is survived by his wife, Suzy Williams; his daughter, Cindy Crouch (Ed) of New York; and his step-daughter, Roxanna Hott (Jim and son Robert) of Houston as well as Suzy's children; - Dusty Williams (Tanja and sons Ian and Elias) of Virginia Beach VA, Stephanie Wills (Michel and children Lynnsey and Austin) of Burke VA, Sara Cade (Joel and children Joel, Savannah, Elijah, Benjamin, and Molly) of Wake Forrest NC, Christopher Williams (Jordan and son Landon) of Roscoe IL, and Ashleigh Williams of Richmond VA.

His Celebration of Life and Service will be held on the USS LEXINGTON on Saturday, January 7, 2017. The Ceremony will begin at 10:00 am. Come early to visit.