WIX Archives

Edwin J. "Bud" Kroeger

Posted by Pat Carry on Thu Oct 10, 2002 06:39:24 PM

The Chicago Tribune announced this week the death at age 89 of Edwin J. "Bud" Kroeger a decorated Navy pilot who flew against the Japanese at Pearl Harbor and at the Battle of Midway and who earned the Navy Cross. In 1940 Mr Kroeger enrolled in naval aviation school in Pensacola nand was subsequently assigned to a carrier group in the Pacific and was sent to Pearl Harbor. Mr Kroeger was out at sea on the USS Enterprise when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor but he along with 17 other pilots flew literally into the war on Dec 7th when they arrived over Pearl Harbor towards the end of the raid. The biggest concern they had, Mr Kroeger said was getting shot down by friendly fire. Shortly thereafter Mr Kroeger participated in the Battle of Midway and was credited with bombing one of the Jap carriers. Mr Kroeger spent a total of 4 years on the USS Enterprise and then remained in the navy until 1963. Rest in peace.

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