Lt. Colonel Harold Eugene Cruit, USAF Ret

Lt. Colonel Harold E. Cruit, USAF Retired, passed away at home under the care of Hospice of Savannah. Family members were by his bedside at the time of his passing.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Carrie McDowell Cruit, of Conway, SC., a son, Stephen Cruit, and an infant, Douglas Cruit.

He was born in Findlay, Illinois on September 11, 1920 to Leverett and Lucille Cruit. He left college in October of 1942 to join the Army Air Corps. After his initial training in Myrtle Beach, SC, he spent 22 years on active duty and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

During World War II he was a Navigator and Bombardier with the 323rd Bomb Group, flying in the B26 Medium Bomber out of Earls Colene, England. After the war he flew in the B47 Stratojet with the Strategic Air Command. During his career he flew on 67 combat missions and logged 4, 652 hours of flying time between the two planes. He received a number of Decorations and Medals during his service that included: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 2 Silver Oak Leaves and 1 Bronze Oak Leaf, Air Force Presidential Unit Citation, Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Medal, American Campaign Medal, Europe-Africa-Middle East Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, World War II Victory Medal, Military Medal National Defense Service, Air Force Longevity Service Award with 4 Bronze Oak Leaves, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal. Additionally, he was awarded Chief Navigator Wings, Senior Air Crew Wings, Navigator Wings, Bombardier Wings, and Observer Wings.

He was a devoted father and husband. A quiet man who loved to read and listen to music. Harold was of the old school: "His word was his bond". He loved his country and though he rarely talked about his years of service and accomplishments, he was truly an Officer and a Gentleman.

Lt. Colonel Cruit USAG Ret is survived by his daughter, Dr. Barbara Kellem-Cruit, son, Michael Cruit, daughter-in-law, Deidre Cruit, grandsons, Brandon Cruit, Bryan Hunter-Sutton, and his wife, Annette Sutton, and great-granddaughter, Isabel Sutton.

Memorial donations on behalf of Lt. Colonel Cruit may be sent to the Disabled American Veterans.

Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel