I recently purchased this piece (seller's photos). I have been trying to find some info about this William F. Crocker, but it seems to be a common name throughout history and I can't nail down one that fits the era and location. I've seen some people here post write-ups on such pieces. Any tips on where to look? Google has just made things more convoluted. Also, I can't decipher some of it, like U.S N.R. 606 51 07. I have no idea what that means. Any help is greatly appreciated PS: The coin is a Moroccan 2 1/2 dirhams dated AH 1331 (1913).
USNR.....possible Marine? US Naval Reserve. Marines spearheaded the invasion of North Africa in 1942.......
Are you sure it is "Crocker" and not Crock Sr."? Can't quite tell if it is an E or an S from the pic.
Yea I had to stare at the picture close up for a while to figure out the spelling. It's in transit so I do not have the piece in hand yet. Thanks a bunch
The 606 51 07 was his service number. He enlisted in the Navy on 16 March 1942 from Boston Massachusetts. On 12 Dec 1942 he was aboard the USS Thurston and his rank was sk3c. (store Keeper). USS Thurston (AP-77) was a troop transport that served with the United States Navy during World War II. She was named after counties in Nebraska and Washington. The USS Thurston was involved in some of the biggest operations of WW2, including Operation Torch (North Africa), Husky (Sicily) and Overlord (Normandy invasion" and countless operations in the South Pacific.
And now, for the rest of the story...(as Paul Harvey used to say): wouldn't it be neat if you could locate relatives of Crocker's? I had a hand in finding the owner of a service pistol about 15 years ago, returned to the owner who was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge. I still get goose bumps thinking about it. Steve
That was my intention from the start. I don't actually collect stuff like this, but wanted to research it and hopefully return it to the guy's relatives.
