Legion of Merit & Military Merit Medal Grouping

[Pudgy (V)]

I purchased this WWII Legion of Merit and Military Merit Medal named to a John P. Crehan today.  I was wondering if someone could give me some information on the vet?  I really appreciate your help!!  Thanks!!  

[shortsix]

Here are a couple of articles about the LOM - The Coalgate Record Register (OK) - April. 1944 -

 

 

The Daily Oklahoman - April 1944 -

 

 

He was later at Fort Eustis, VA - The Times Tribune - May 1945 -

 

 

And Fort Meade, MD - Asbury Park Press - Feb. 1946 -

 

[Pudgy (V)]

Wow, that is awesome!!!  Thank-you so much Shortsix!!  I really appreciate it!!!  This medal also came with the grouping.  

[Pudgy (V)]

Does that mean Douglas MacArthur actually presented the medal to him? If so, did generals do that often? 

[shortsix]

It could mean either one - it was just authorized by MacArthur or actually presented by MacArthur.  Someone else may have more insight.  This are a lot of articles about Crehan pre-war and post-war.  You may want to try newspapers.com or fold3.  Here's a military register entry from 1942 - 

 

 

Looks like he was a balloon observer in WWI - from fold3 -

 

 

and returned 1919 -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Pudgy (V)]

Thank-you!! That is pretty amazing!  Sounds like he had a long career.  I would love to have those records, would be nice to read through them.  I don't belong to newspapers.com or fold3.com.  I wonder if he got a purple heart.  If these articles were dated April 1944, I'm thinking he may have gotten the award because of his activities during the Japanese take over of the Philippines in 1941.