''THE RAGTAG CIRCUS FROM OMAHA BEACH TO THE ELBE''

About my Book
First Edition 1969 hardback book with dust jacket "The Ragtag Circus From Omaha Beach To The Elbe" by Edwin B. "Buckshot" Crabill.
This is a great book in excellent condition, signed by the author, to:
         Mr. Richard Spong
         Inviting attention to the beginning; The Rag Tag Circus and the crossing of the Elbe.
         E B Crabill colonel infantry ret.  Ex RCO 329th Inf
Edwin Blake Crabill was the commander of the 329th IR. His book is a very outspoken account of 329th and the 83rd Division. Published by Vantage Press, N.Y., 1969, contains 73 pages and is now "Out of print".
The cover does have slit on back cover doesn’t impact cover. There is also a pen lining on one entry on one page about an officer who got knicked and who was crying. Looks like same ink as the signature so maybe Crabill tried to crows it out. There is also a reprint of a letter written by the author tucked in to the book about the disaster of the Vietnam war dated January 5, 1965.

About the Author
Born in Roanoke, Virginia, Edwin Crabill attended the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, where he received his B.S. degree. He had a lengthy military career history, he was a company commander in World War One, a regimental commander in World War Two and commanded troops at Pusan, Korea. He had distinguished himself as Troop Commander, 83rd Infantry Division, 329th Infantry Regiment and was the only regimental commander in the 83rd Division who survived the "hedgerow" debacle in Normandy, France during WWII. Colonel E.B. Crabill was a professional Infantry officer for thirty six years. Buckshot Crabill was nicknamed for his skill on the target range.
Colonel Edwin B. "Buckshot" Crabill earned many decorations, including the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Commendation Ribbon, WWI Victory Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, EAME Campaign Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, Korean Service Medal, UN Service Medal, British Distinguished Service Order, Belgian Order of Leopold (Officer) and Croix de Guerre with Palm. The one he prizes most is the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

Edwin Blake Crabill, US Army Colonel Retired, of Palm Beach Shores, Florida quietly passed away on age 91, at his home on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 1985.