Marlin Stutzman: “On December 21, 2010, Lance Corporal William Henry Crouse, IV, age 22, died of wounds sustained while supporting combat…”

“On December 21, 2010, Lance Corporal William Henry Crouse, IV, age 22, died of wounds sustained while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province in Afghanistan. As a field artillery cannoneer assigned to 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Lance Corporal Crouse was serving his first deployment to Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, where he had been for 6 weeks. Born June 13, 1988 in Angola, Indiana, Lance Corporal Crouse joined the Marine Corps in November 2007 and was promoted to lance corporal August 1, 2008. Lance Corporal Crouse's awards and decorations include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Lance Corporal Crouse is survived by his mother, Nancy, and stepfather, Vinnie Siders, of Fort Wayne; his brothers, Nathan and Ryan; and his sisters, Jennifer Chaffee and Jennifer Hartman. After quickly being promoted to lance corporal, Lance Corporal Crouse selflessly gave his life as a service to defend our country's freedom in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. My heart goes out to his family, and I want to express my deepest gratitude to them both for the sacrifice they have made for our Nation.”