Krulewitch, Melvin Levin
KRULEWITCH, MELVIN LEVIN
KRULEWITCH, MELVIN LEVIN (1895–1978), U.S. soldier. Born in New York City, Krulewitch was a sergeant in the U.S. army in France during World War i. After practicing law for several years he returned to the army when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, rejoining the Marine Corps as an officer. During World War ii Krulewitch was the first to fly the American flag on Japanese territory. He was decorated for meritorious service at Iwo Jima. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Clusters; the Purple Heart; a Presidential Unit Citation; and the Naval Unit Citation. He also received a Special Commendation Ribbon of the secretary of the Navy.
He was a military observer in Israel in 1948 and in Korea in 1950. He retired in 1956 with the rank of major general, the highest-ranking Jewish officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was one of the founders of the World Boxing Council (1963) and served as chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission.
Krulewitch wrote Now That You Mention It: Memoirs from the Halls of Montezuma to the Madison Square Garden Ring by Way of Old New York and the State of Israel (1973).
[Ruth Beloff (2nd ed.)]