Remains of WWII pilot return home after 75 years

WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) – It’s been 75 years since John Dudley Crouchley Jr. was on American soil.

Thursday night, the remains of the WWII pilot finally made it back to his home state. Since 1944 his family never knew where his remains had ended up, after his plane crashed in the Bulgarian mountains.
Relatives said it was a day they never thought they’d see.

“It’s a little unreal,” said granddaughter Autumn Williams.

While flying in combat in June of 1944, Crouchley Jr.’s plane was met by enemy fire – and he had nine crew members jump out of the aircraft to safety – making the ultimate sacrifice as his plane crashed outside of Churen, Bulgaria.
For decades he was missing in action.

“I never was confident that this day would come, so for any other families out there that have that same doubt, maybe our story gives them a little bit of hope,” said his grandson John Dudley Crouchley IV.

Crouchley Jr left behind his pregnant wife Dorothy, who her grandchildren say, rarely spoke about the accident.

“Dudley’s memory and the mystery that surrounded all of this weighed on her for her entire life,” said Crouchley IV.

“She would be saying ‘finally!'” said Williams.
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Thursday night at TF Green Airport, his grandchildren and even young great grandchildren, were able to meet the plane that brought his remains back to Rhode Island, ending a decades’ long mystery, and giving the ultimate lesson in courage. 

“I think they understand that in their case, their great grandfather was a hero, that allowed other people to go on and have their own lives and their own families, and it’s something that we should be proud of,” said Crouchley IV.

First Lt. Crouchley will also be posthumously awarded several medals including the Purple Heart.
He will have a proper funeral Saturday, but the public can pay their respects to the Lieutenant during the day Friday at the Smith-Mason Funeral Home.

© WLNE-TV/ ABC6 2019