Col Crews - Obituary

lvan M. Crews, Colonel USAF Ret. Alvan M. Crews died on July 17, 2009 surrounded by his loving family, at Georgetown University Hospital, after a valiant fight with cancer. Alvan was the beloved husband of Janet for 58 years. He was the proud father of four (Jann, Nancy, Patrick, and Leslie) and grandfather of five (Callie, Demian, Ryan, Zachary and Jade). He was born in Detroit Michigan on Dec. 22, 1928 to Esther and Fred Crews. Alvan relocated to Washington D.C. as a child. He graduated from Bullis Prep in Silver Spring, in 1947 and received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy graduating in the class of 1951, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Subsequently, he earned a Master Degree in Engineering Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology, attended the Squadron Officer School, and Armed Forces Staff College. Alvan entered pilot training in Aug. 1951 and was awarded his wings one year later at Williams AFB. He had advanced training in all weather, gunnery and photo reconnaissance. In August 1953, he was assigned to the 45th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at K-14, Korea. During his tour he was also an exchange pilot with Marine Photographic Squadron One at K-3. After Korea, he spent 10 years in research and development at various Air Force bases within the United States. In 1966, he served as a Flight Commander in the 4449th Combat Crew Training Squadron. He was next assigned to the 483rd Tactical Airlift Wing in Vietnam, as Chief, Wing Standardization and Evaluation flying the C-7A aircraft. Colonel Crews returned to the United States in October of 1968 and was assigned to the Pentagon working with various research and development projects. Beginning in 1973 through 1976, Colonel Crews served as the Air Attaché to Italy and in 1977, he became the Defense Attaché to the Republic of South Africa. Upon his return to the United States in 1979, he retired from the Air Force. Included in his many military decorations are the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, and Italian Order of the Cavalier. He was a command pilot with over 6,000 hours, including 900 hours of combat time and 225 combat missions in both Korea and Vietnam. After his military retirement, he returned to the Washington D.C. area and became Executive Vice President of a computer company. When Alvan finally retired, he enjoyed golf, painting, cooking, gardening and traveling. He was a member of National Country Club at Tantallon, MOAA and USNA Alumni Association. A memorial service will be held for Alvan at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 23rd at the Kalas Funeral Home, 6160 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD. The family asks that no flowers be sent, but hopes you will donate, in his name, to the Fisher House Foundation (www.fisherhouse.org). Alvan's interment at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors will be held on Wedensday, October 7, 2009 at 3pm.