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The following biography was written by 8th Marine Website and Hap Rocketto

One of the most famous Marines of World War II was Henry Pierson "Jim" Crowe. Born at Boston, Kentucky in 1899, Crowe enlisted in the Marine Corps after WW1.He saw service in Nicaragua and China. During his 16 years in the ranks Jim Crowe was famed for two things: he was one of the world's topnotch rifle shots and for six years he was a crack player on the all-Marine football teams. Crowe earned Distinguished status with the rifle in 1927 and the pistol in 1940. As a Master Gunnery Sergeant he won the Wimbledon Trophy in 1936 using a Winchester Model 54 in .300 Magnum with a score of 100-19Vs, the single five being his first shot at 1,000 yards.

He was commissioned as a Gunnery Warrant Officer and promoted to captain after Pearl Harbor. Captain Crowe landed with the 8th Marines at Guadalcanal in November 1942, commanding a weapons company. On the 13th January 1943 while leading an attack on Japanese positions Crowe contributed to Marine folklore when he issued his famous "Follow Me" command. While leading a charge against the dug-in Japanese he yelled: "Get out of those foxholes, men, you'll never get the Purple Heart layin’ there! Follow me!" There are accounts that the famed quote was given in more earthy terms then stated here. Crowe received the Silver Star for his actions on Guadalcanal.

Promoted to major and appointed the battalion commander of the 2/8th Marines in 1943, Crowe lead them onto Red Beach 3 at Tarawa in November 1943. His inspiring leadership and disregard for personal safety was a key determinate in holding the beachhead during the traumatic first day of battle. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery on Tarawa

On the 15th June 1944 Lt Col Crowe again lead the 2/8th on to a hostile shore; Saipan. He was subsequently badly wounded earning a Purple Heart and ending his combat service in World War II. Dragged back to a shell hole near the water’s edge where Crowe was treated by a Navy corpsman. There a Japanese mortar shell killed the corpsman; another fragment wounded the doctor who took the corpsman's place. By that time mortar and artillery shells were dropping on the beachhead continuously. Crowe covered his chest wound with his poncho and his face with his helmet. A shell fragment tore through the poncho and pierced his chest in two more places. Five other fragments hit him in the arm, shoulder and leg. A piece of shrapnel tore off his thumbnail. A doctor who examined him said, "Not much chance." Crowe retorted: "First thing you do, cut off that hanging thumbnail. It's damned annoying."

When asked about his many impressive awards he is to have replied that the medals he is most proud were his Good Conduct medals for four enlistments.

Crowe stayed in the Marine Corps after the war and along with Colonel David Shoup-a Medal of Honor recipient, Distinguished Pistol Shot, and future Commandant of the Marines-made a cameo appearance in the 1949 John Wayne movie "Sands of Iwo Jima". When the Korean War broke out in 1950 Crowe again saw combat as the commander of the 1st Shore Party Battalion at Inchon.

Crowe retired from the USMC in the late 1950s and later served as Chief of Police of the Portsmouth, Virginia , Police Dept from 1960 to 1969. He retired to live in Portsmouth.

Crowe’s Navy Cross Citation

The Navy Cross is presented to Henry P. Crowe, Major, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, Eighth Marines, Second Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, on 20, 21 and 22 November 1943. Courageously leading his Battalion ashore in the face of savage enemy resistance, Major Crowe maintained continuous aggressive pressure for three days from the limited beachhead established by his command in the midst of Japanese emplacements and strongholds. Constantly exposing himself to hostile fire and working without rest, he effectively coordinated the efforts of his own hard-pressed Battalion, attached units and subsequent reinforcement, directing their combined attacks skillfully and with unwavering determination, and succeeded in overcoming one of the most heavily defended Japanese centers of resistance on Tarawa Atoll. Major Crowe's inspiring leadership, brilliant tactical ability and indomitable fighting spirit under extremely perilous conditions reflect great credit upon himself, his valiant command and the United States Naval Service.