Eighth Generation (Continued)
Eighth Generation (Continued)
Family of Hilda Madeleine Hiltz (2004) & Elroy Ernest Crockford
5838. Beryl Evelyn Crockford (Hilda Madeleine Hiltz7, John Benjamin6, Benjamin5, Johann Jacob4, Rebecca Magdalena Lantz3, Johann Heinrich2, Michael1). Born on 27 Mar 1917 in Chelsea, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts, U.S.A.17,53,52 Beryl Evelyn died in Las Cruces, Doña Ana Co., New Mexico, U.S.A., on 12 Feb 2001; she was 83.53,52 Buried on 21 Feb 2001 in Arlington, Arlington Co., Virginia, U.S.A. Occupation: Secretary.
On 10 Jul 1939 Beryl Evelyn married Nelson Whitney Tobey, son of Herbert L. Tobey & Sarah A. Burgoyne, in Hampton, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire, U.S.A.77 Born on 7 Oct 1916 in Melrose, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, U.S.A.17,118,53,52 Nelson Whitney died in Las Cruces, Doña Ana Co., New Mexico, U.S.A., on 17 Feb 2009; he was 92.53,118,52 Buried in Feb 2009 in Arlington, Arlington Co., Virginia, U.S.A. Occupation: Chemist.
After graduating from Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia, he married his childhood sweetheart, Beryl Crockford in 1939. Called to duty in World War II, he joined the United States Army and served as a lieutenant and captain in the 7th Field Artillery Battalion of the 1st Infantry Division. He participated in the combat operations of eight campaigns, including amphibious invasions of North Africa, Sicily and Normandy as well as the Battle of the Bulge and on into Germany.
Following the War, he taught at Virginia Military Institute for a year before rejoining the Army. He earned his master's degree in engineering, studying rocket science at the University of Southern California. His military career included commands of the 867th Battalion of 75 mm air defense weapons in Alaska, the 9th Missile Group, and Deputy Commander III Corps Artillery, with one overseas tour in Saudi Arabia. He served two assignments in the office as chief of research and development on the army staff at the Pentagon. He had other assignments in the testing of rockets and missiles including serving as the chief project officer for the Pershing missile tests. His last assignment was as the director of Army Missile Tests and Evaluations at White Sands Missile Range, Nnew Mexico. He retired from the Army in 1971 with the rank of colonel after serving his country for over 32 years.
His military awards include the Silver Star for gallantry in action, the Bronze Star for heroic action in combat, the Purple Heart for wounds received in action, three Legion of Merit awards for exceptional meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding service, two Army Commendation medals, and letters of commendation from the chief of research and development for his military presentations to congressional committees. His unit received the Presidential Unit Citation for action on D-Day June 6, 1944 and the National Defense Service Medal for distinguished service in North Africa.
Col. Tobey and his wife, Beryl, built their retirement home and settled in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where they enjoyed the beauty of the dessert and the ever-changing views of the Organ Mountains. They traveled extensively, including a trip around the world, and enjoyed studying their families' genealogies. An avid outdoorsman, Col. Tobey's interests included photography, sailing, camping and horseback riding. Col. Tobey was wagon master of the Southern Wagon Train, one of five national wagon trains that crossed the country and converged on Valley Forge, Pennsylvania in celebration of the nation's bicentennial in 1976. His resounding command, given to the horse-drawn wagon drivers and riders each morning signaling the start of the day's journey, "Wagooons Ho-OOOO!" delighted spectators and became the trademark of the Southern Wagon Train.
He is the author of the book Never Broken by Hardship or Battle, the Memoirs of World War II Colonel Nelson W. Tobey and numerous writings including "Growing Up in Blakeville," and the book The History of the 7th Field Artillery Battalion, World War II. (Las Cruces Sun-News, Las Cruces, New Mexico, obituary, 22 Feb. 2009)
After graduating from Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia, he married his childhood sweetheart, Beryl Crockford in 1939. Called to duty in World War II, he joined the United States Army and served as a lieutenant and captain in the 7th Field Artillery Battalion of the 1st Infantry Division. He participated in the combat operations of eight campaigns, including amphibious invasions of North Africa, Sicily and Normandy as well as the Battle of the Bulge and on into Germany.
Following the War, he taught at Virginia Military Institute for a year before rejoining the Army. He earned his master's degree in engineering, studying rocket science at the University of Southern California. His military career included commands of the 867th Battalion of 75 mm air defense weapons in Alaska, the 9th Missile Group, and Deputy Commander III Corps Artillery, with one overseas tour in Saudi Arabia. He served two assignments in the office as chief of research and development on the army staff at the Pentagon. He had other assignments in the testing of rockets and missiles including serving as the chief project officer for the Pershing missile tests. His last assignment was as the director of Army Missile Tests and Evaluations at White Sands Missile Range, Nnew Mexico. He retired from the Army in 1971 with the rank of colonel after serving his country for over 32 years.
His military awards include the Silver Star for gallantry in action, the Bronze Star for heroic action in combat, the Purple Heart for wounds received in action, three Legion of Merit awards for exceptional meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding service, two Army Commendation medals, and letters of commendation from the chief of research and development for his military presentations to congressional committees. His unit received the Presidential Unit Citation for action on D-Day June 6, 1944 and the National Defense Service Medal for distinguished service in North Africa.
Col. Tobey and his wife, Beryl, built their retirement home and settled in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where they enjoyed the beauty of the dessert and the ever-changing views of the Organ Mountains. They traveled extensively, including a trip around the world, and enjoyed studying their families' genealogies. An avid outdoorsman, Col. Tobey's interests included photography, sailing, camping and horseback riding. Col. Tobey was wagon master of the Southern Wagon Train, one of five national wagon trains that crossed the country and converged on Valley Forge, Pennsylvania in celebration of the nation's bicentennial in 1976. His resounding command, given to the horse-drawn wagon drivers and riders each morning signaling the start of the day's journey, "Wagooons Ho-OOOO!" delighted spectators and became the trademark of the Southern Wagon Train.
He is the author of the book Never Broken by Hardship or Battle, the Memoirs of World War II Colonel Nelson W. Tobey and numerous writings including "Growing Up in Blakeville," and the book The History of the 7th Field Artillery Battalion, World War II. (Las Cruces Sun-News, Las Cruces, New Mexico, obituary, 22 Feb. 2009)
They had the following children:
11685i.
11686ii.
11687iii.
5839. Donald Elroy Crockford (Hilda Madeleine Hiltz7, John Benjamin6, Benjamin5, Johann Jacob4, Rebecca Magdalena Lantz3, Johann Heinrich2, Michael1). Born on 24 Dec 1923 in Melrose, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, U.S.A.17,53,97 Donald Elroy died in Hampton, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire, U.S.A., on 20 Nov 1986; he was 62.53,118