Glenis Voyle Crow, Sr.
Seaman First Class, U. S. Navy
World War II

The Early Years

Glenis Voyle Crow was born on 19 October 1921 in rural Marshall County, AL, the son of John and Annie (Ray) Crow.

He married Mildred Couch on 4 August 1940 on the front porch of the home of a local Justice of the Peace.

Military Service

Glenis was inducted into the U.S. Navy on 2 September 1944 at Birmingham, AL. He was trained at the U.S. Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, IL, and attended Armed Guard School in Norfolk, VA. During WWII, he was stationed at the Armed Guard Command Center in Brooklyn, NY, and served as a gunner aboard three vessels: Liberty Ship SS Samuel McIntyre; troop transport ship SS Sea Robin; and the fleet tanker USS Neches. He was aboard the Neches in Tokyo Bay for the signing of the treaty ending WWII. Glenis was honorably discharged 7 March 1946, at the Personnel Separation Center in Memphis, TN.

Medals and Awards

American Theatre Ribbon
European-African Theatre Ribbon
Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Ribbon
Victory Medal

Post-War Life

After the war, he went to work as a structural iron worker. He was a lifelong member of the VFW and American Legion, and had served as Post Commander for the local VFW Post. He was named an Honorary Deputy Sheriff by his longtime friend, Etowah County Sheriff James Hayes. He also was co-owner/operator of Mildred's Restaurant in Attalla, AL, and fathered two children; Sonny and Sandra.

Death and Burial

During his career as an ironworker, Glenis was exposed over the years to large amounts of asbestos, and acquired lung cancer as a result of asbestos poisoning. In July of 1996, he was admitted to Healthsouth Hospital in Birmingham, AL, for cancer treatment.

Glenis Voyle Crow, Sr. slipped into a coma and passed away early in the afternoon of 23 August 1996. He is buried at Rainbow Memorial Park in Rainbow City, Etowah County, AL.

&