At Friday’s Armed Forces Night showdown between No. 4 Solon and No. 1 Mount Vernon, longtime Solon resident Jim Croy was honored as the Veteran of the Night. Croy served in the U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1970 with MCB 5, the Seabees construction battalion, including a tour in Vietnam from January to September 1969. His work included linguistics scheduling, assigning personnel, and building and expanding bases.
He earned the Vietnam Service Medal, Campaign Medal, and Civil Action Medal.
Croy recalls an ammo dump explosion in Da Nang in April 1969 that destroyed half the camp. “We were all tickled to go home,” he remembered. But orders from the captain came to stay and rebuild.
Since moving to Solon in 1974, he has been a 54-year American Legion member and served 14 years on the city council. His service continues through family, with a grandson in the U.S. Marine Corps in San Diego.