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Thomas R. Cross, circa 1935-2012

 

Summary

Extent:
1 boxes
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Title of Item], [Date of Item], [boxes and Folder number], Thomas R. Cross, 9.0093, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. https://purl.lib.fsu.edu/fa/WWII-9-0093

Background

Scope and content:

Colonel Thomas R. Cross served in all Five Airborne Divisions plus the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team. Cross served as a commanding officer of the 517th Parachute Regiment in the European Theatre of Operations in 1945. The manuscript contains a written account of the Airborne invasion of Southern France, and also a detailed history of the 517th Parachute Combat Team. Army Brat born in NY. Military school, Wyoming. National Guard- Governor of Wyoming appointed him to West Point. Active duty 2-20-41. Assigned to 29th Infantry. Wife was army brat too. He joined 517th Parachute infantry/ Paratroopers all volunteer. Battalion commander was Major Richard J. Seitz. Did well in parachute school. 517th, 460th, and 596th landed in Sicily and Italy and also France. Under name 1st Airborne Task Force code named Operation Dragoon. Joined up with 1st British Airborne Independednt Brigade which fought in North Africa and it consisted of Scottish, Irish, and Welsh battalions. Jumped in the Maratime Alps area in fog into enemy fire (broke his leg) . Helped by a French count who sharred his home with 100-150 wounded. Evacuated back to Naples. After hospitalized rejoined the paratrooper unit 517th and went from Airborne soldier to Mountain Fighters. Taked to Nice while others were at Normandy. Went to Paris to represent 18th Airborne Corps. General Ridgeway. Battle at Trovs Ponts, France. Retired in 1971.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open to all researchers.

This collection is in a remote storage location. Please contact lib-specialcollections@fsu.edu with requests for access or for more information.

Terms of access:

Copyright restrictions may apply to works in this collection. Re-use or copying beyond Fair Use may require permission from the rights-holder. Please contact lib-specialcollections@fsu.edu for more information.

Preferred citation:

[Title of Item], [Date of Item], [boxes and Folder number], Thomas R. Cross, 9.0093, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. https://purl.lib.fsu.edu/fa/WWII-9-0093

Location of this collection:
116 Honors Way
Tallahassee
FL
32306-2047
USA