Edward David Crimmins was born on October 11, 1907 in Pipestone, Pipestone County, Minnesota. He served in the 677th Bombardment Squadron, 444th Bombardment Group as a Technical Sergeant and an Engineer of an aircraft during World War II. TSGT Crimmins perished when U.S. Army Air Corps B-29-5-BW Superfortress #42-6286, nicknamed "Praying Mantis" crashed into Shi-Ling (Snow Mountain) about 100 miles from the airbase at Cheng-tu, China when it ran low on fuel in poor weather, while returning from mission over Japan. All eleven crew killed in action. He is now buried in the Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, USA in a common grave with his crew.

TSGT Crimmins was one of over 2000 Americans who lost their lives defending China from their Japanese invaders from 1941-1945. He is commemorated on the The Monument to the Aviation Martyrs in the War of Resistance Against Japan in Nanjing, China. His name is also honored on a memorial at the Moody County Resource Center in Flandreau, South Dakota.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com