Roger Crowell, Dead Viet Hero

Is Honored at Funeral Service

(Feb. 15, 1968) -- A military guard snapped to a salute as pallbearers removed the body of 20-year-old Roger Bryan Crowell from Holy Family Church in the bitter cold last Sunday morning following funeral services there.

Young Crowell is another Belleville victim of the Vietnam conflict. He was a product of the Belleville school system and his parents have been long-time residents of Tiona Avenue.

The telegram of regret from the Army states that he died of gunshot wounds suffered during an engagement with the enemy Vietcong forces on Jan. 31. The body was flown back home to Belleville.

Crowell was known to his family by his nickname "Rog." He was an outstanding Little Leaguer and winner of many trophies for athletics.

He attended Grammar School 5 on Greylock Parkway, Belleville and went on to Belleville High School where he was especially active in football, baseball and basketball. He graduated from BHS in 1965.

Crowell was engaged to be married for several years to Gail Corino, his high school sweetheart. A draft notice precipitated the marriage but because their marriage was kept secret, the ceremony was held at three different times in as many different churches - in June, September, and December 1966.

The young couple had only four days plus Roger's leave time, to be together in all their married life. Their son, Roger Jr. is now 10-months old; he was born in Clara Maass Memorial Hospital. Roger Sr. was able to obtain leave and arrive to be with his wife and new baby the day after the birth.

In his letters home from Vietnam, Crowell shows that he still had the same hopes and interests in his family's activities that he had before he became a soldier.

Letters From Vietnam

"Hello Brother, How's things going back home? Good, I hope. I hear you put the engine in Vinnie's car (a racing motor). How does it go? Mom said you were  over to get my address about a week ago so maybe I'll  be hearing from you soon. We just got back form a big operation last night and boy did it feel good to sleep on a cot and have a shower. I guess Mom told you that they finally made me a Specialist 4th Class. It's about time, especially after 11 months of Pfc. What have you been doing lately? Are you still working in the schools? Well, there isn't much more to write about ..."

"Hello Mom and Dad. I guess it's been quite a while since the last letter I wrote you. Everything is okay here. I came back to Cu Chi just in time to see Bob Hope. They had a pretty good show and it really gave the guys a good time so it kinda made up for not bein in on Christmas..."

Father Robert Cassini officiated at the services Sunday at Holy Family. Burial was at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

He is survived by one brother, Winfield R. Crowell, of Newark, who recently returned from active duty in Vietnam; and by a sister Mrs. Della Dranow of Verona, who has two children.

Many flowers were received from his old friends and acquaintances by Landolfi Funeral Hope for Funerals, Union Avenue, Belleville, where the body was on view.

Mayor Kenneth D. Smith, the Town Commission, civic and veterans'  organizations and local residents have extended their sympathy to the grieving family.

CROWELL, ROGER BRIAN

Date of Birth: Saturday, August 16, 1947
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Married

Branch: Army
Rank: SP4
Serial Number: 52687737
Component: Selective Service
Pay grade: E4
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 52F40
Major Organization: 25th Inf Div

Start of Tour: Sunday, October 15, 1967
Date of Casualty: Wednesday, January 31, 1968
Age at time of loss: 20
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Gun, small arms fire (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Binh Duong

The Vietnam War Memorial Wall 

The Wall: Panel 36E - Row 004