Thomas Crowley, Major of Croatian Army (1991 – 1995)
At the Medal of Honour awards ceremony 12 December 2012 at the Office of the President of Croatia, the late Major in Croatian Army, Thomas Crowley, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Petar Zrniski and Fran Krsto Frankopan with gold triple interlace for his exceptional contribution to the defence of Croatia during Croatia’s War of Independence. The Medal was accepted on behalf of Thomas Crowley’s family from Ireland by their solicitor Mr Miroslav Vrkljan.
Medal Petar Zrinski and Fran Krsto Frankopan with gold triple interlace
Thomas Crowley, nicknamed “the Irish” by his Croatian army mates, came to Croatia in 1991 as volunteer, joining Croatian men in defending Croatian independence from Serb aggression.
Thomas Crowley, born Irish on 14 February 1949, came to Croatia and died as a Croatian on 10 June 1995.
“I came to Croatia at the beginning of the war and I have a big wish to remain in Croatia until the last bit of its occupied territory is liberated, and then stay longer. I consider Croatia my homeland; I’m prepared to even give my life for Croatia. God willing, if I’m still alive when the war ends, I’ll stay and live in Croatia,” Crowley once said. He did remain in Croatia – that is his remains are buried in the cemetery of Split.
Crowley became a living legend in Croatia. In 1991 he joined the Croatian Defense Forces’ (HOS) Ante Paradzik First Battalion. He was one of many foreigners who came to Croatia to help defend Croatian independence.
He was a commando at battlefield Novljani and Jasenovac. In December 1991 he transferred to the Ninth HOS Battalion in Split where he was the main instructor for HOS forces in Trogir and Cijevo army camps.
Her participated in battles at Livno (where, single-handed, captured an enemy [Serb] tank), he was in battles for Mostar, Dubrovnik, Popovo Polje, Operation Maslenica, liberation of Skabrnje (where horrendous massacres of Croatian civilians by Serb forces occurred only two days after Vukovar massacres in November 1991). Then in Zemunik he was wounded in battle. He was in Prkos to the end of April 1993 and then led the military operations near Biograd (Dalmatia). Then to Drnis battlefield, Svilaja, Donje selo and by 1994 he led the instruction camp for the 114th brigade. Some 2000 members of the 114th brigade passed through his camps.
On 10th June 1995, on the Southern battlefield – he was killed. He is buried in Split.
There’s no doubt in my mind that Crowley’s Irish natural determination for self-determination and freedom amply filled and comforted the spirits of his Croatian war veteran mates, in and around battles. They still remember him dearly and call him the “Irish Braveheart”. Lest we forget! Ina Vukic, Prof. (Zgb); B.A., M.A.Ps. (Syd)
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I’m not sure how I first heard about Thomas Crowley, but I remember when I read about his contribution, I couldn’t help but feel very overcome with bittersweet emotions. I was upset that he, like many other heroes, lost his life. (As a sidenote, perhaps this is in its own sad way, a blessing – at least he didn’t live to see what a joke “respect” for our war veterans has become). Yet I couldn’t help but be happy to know that there are such good people out there, no matter how small the number. People like Mr. Crowley, who will put their own life at risk to help fellow human beings, when the rest of the world is ignoring their struggles and when the rest of the world may look at Mr. Crowley’s decisions and think it is foolish of him to risk his life and wellbeing for complete strangers, who he has no apparent link to.
R.I.P. Thomas Crowley.
Very proud of my father a son could not ask for a greater father than him R.I.P DAD
Lots to be proud of indeed, John!
rip thomas HOS HVAR/SPLIT/NEWRY HVALA BOG
Wow, incredibly moving. Tragic that Europe let the carnage happen in the modern world. I would love to know more about Thomas’s life. What he achieved in Croatia makes me very proud to be Irish. Heroes of jadotville finally got recognition, it would be nice to see Ireland recognise Thomas.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.
Dear John,
I have just learned about your father, I would love to know more about your father. What part of Ireland he was from?
total respect
🙂 Forever!
Old Days! The wild geese are flighting,
Head to the storm as they faced it before!
For where there are Irish there’s bound to be fighting,
And when there’s no fighting, it’s Ireland no more!
Ireland no more!
God forbid, Catapult – Ireland must ALWAYS be! It’s the land of the brave!
Legend! This man is an inspiration. He will remembered as a hero in both countries forever. IRELAND-CROATIA brothers.
love you dad, ,
where ever there is wrong doing you will find the irish there to defend the right of the people
Indeed, Smokey 😀
Would have loved to meet my Father in law, I just know that he was and still is a great and inspiring man**
He will never stop being an inspiration and a man we will remember and look up to with great pride and love. Thank you Alicia Crowley for your comment
Did Major Thomas Crowley serve in the Irish Army Reserve or FCA as is was then called?
“I measc na laochra go raibh sé anois”
“May he rest among the warriors now”
Séamus
Sorry Séamus Greene I have no details. Thank you on your visit.
Kat ,anybody who may view T Crowley`s actions and sacrifice as foolish regarding apparent linking to complete stranger`s are irrelevant. Their perceptions`s based on assumption reveal much about themselves.The Irish and Croatians have a similar character in terms of Religion,historical oppression and fighting in foreign military campaigns together, within Napoleon`s legions for example. They both fought alongside the Spanish and Austrian Army`s inc Spain`s civil war 1936. There were approx 5-7 % foreign volunteers within Croatian,Bosnian/Croat forces inc other Irishmen.
A Thiarna dean throcaire ar nAmam a Thomais agus gach duine a fuair bais ag troid
Za Slobadu
You can always find a land that can use the aid of an honest, courageous fighter. The struggle against injustice has always been a global struggle. Crowley is a single best example of that spirit.
So true, Eideard!
How nice for his descendants! Wonderful news. 🙂
Thank you Jackie
http://youtu.be/lZdeA4EWQPo
Just lovely, Aliosa 🙂
I just found out yesterday that Tom had died. It’s strange mourning a man I didn’t get the chance to know or understand. He may not have been there for me in my life but I’m left feeling proud that he served some greater purpose and had the guts to try and make a difference. Forever in my thoughts, Dad. x
And for what he did for Croatian people and their struggle for freedom, he is blessed! Thank you on your comment Michelle
Thomas was my Uncle. I have memories of him visiting my mum & dad when I was younger and remembering how he could talk the hind legs of a donkey! He was what you might call ” a loveable rogue !” I am glad he found happiness in his life in Croatia and proud he is seen as a hero in his adoptive land! May you rest in peace Uncle Thomas !
Thank you, Mark, on this visit – Thomas lives on in fond and proud memories back home but also in Croatia. Our debt to his bravery will always remain!God bless!
I’m English and remember Tom as we joined the Croatian Defense Forces’ (HOS) Ante Paradzik First Battalion at the same time. We lived in Plesmo and fought together around Novljani and Jasenovac.
Respect and best wishes to his family and my HOS comrades
Olly
Cheers Olly – thank you for your visit and comment – much honoured!
Please find attached a photo of Tom around Oct/November taken at Plesmo 1991.
Tom is in the middle and I’m ti his left front wearing glasses.
This photo is rare and not many have seen it.
Either that night or the next we held back a company attack on our position.
Regards Olly
Thanks Olly, will look out for the photo
Thanks Thomas for everything! We will never forget you!!!
Indeed, Mirko – Thomas stays in our hearts and minds – forever we are grateful for his bravery and love of freedom and readiness to fight for it
10 years today since his death. What an absolute legend – he died fighting for another mans freedom. May he rest in peace and be remembered forever. Glad to know his family is proud of his achievements.
Za Dom Spremni.
Yes Paul G. – they don’t come better than that! May Thomas rest in peace forever and ever and in our fond memories.
Upon doing a little research on Thomas Crowley I came across another hero that happened to leave a reply on this article here on this very page – John ‘Olly’ Scarrot (see above).
Have a read of this article – http://cascarino.homestead.com/olly.html
Absolute legends.
ZDS!
Thank you Paul G
on a visit to pula croatia on business i first learned about this great irishman thomas crowley from my good friend dalibor gortan whos uncle served with thomas,the respect the people i talked to about thomas i just could not put into words, for me to hear this about a fellow irishman just took my breath away that so many of these brave people like thomas lost their lives for the freedom of the croatian people,on this year we honour our own people who gave their lives in the name of irish freedom 1916 to 2016,to the croatian people i wish you all the very best for the future,to the families of tom and olly i wish the same,and rest in peace to both tom and olly true soldiers of freedom.
regards gerry
Thank you, Gerry it is so touching to read your message here and,yes, those that lost their lives for Croatia’s freedom are the guiding stars for all
Hi Gerry im on holiday in Pula myself and just found out about Thomas Crowley,what a very brave man a Hero to Ireland and Croatia…R.I.P. Thomas
Happy birthday dad 14 feb your always in my thoughts.
God Bless, John Crowley
You Crowleys are a respectable family. Be proud of him. Tell your grandchildren about Thomas. Thomas was and will be a hero for centuries. We Croats never will forget his name. HE will never die as long as croatia lives. May god bless his honorable soul. Rest in peace you Irish Knight.
Thank you from Croatia! !!
Thank YOU! Patrik
I’m proud my uncle tommy found a cause to fight and die for god bless
God bless, Jason! That pride is rooted in all of us, forever!
THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU KEEPING CANDLE ON ABOUT THE TRUE FELLOW HUMAN WHO CAME TO HELP TO THOSE WHO NEEDED THE MOST CROATS IN 90’S …
I GUESS WRONG POLITICAL MOVES AND FEW COWARDS FAIL TO LET WHOLE WORLD ESSPECIALY CROATIANS ABOOUT GREAT GUY AS THOMAS; OLLY AND OTHERS
THANK YOU TO SONS AND FAMILY MEMBERS OF THOSE TWO HEROS OLE AND THOMAS -WHO ARE WITH GOD NOW
YOU FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF OLE AND THOMAS
YOU WHO ARE LEFT BEHIND YOU CAN LIVE IN PRIDE AND HONOR THAT MEN LIKE THOMAS WERE THERE WHO NEEDED THE HELP MOST,
SOME PEOPLE KNOW AND HEARD ABOUT THEM AND ARE GRATEFUL – SOME COMMUNISTS OR SERBS HATE THAT CROATS GO HELP WHEN CROATIA HAD NO ONE THAT CARE – ONLY GUYS LIKE THOM AND OLLY (PLUS FEW MORE OUT THERE)
BUT ANGELS DO KNOW ALL AND YOU FAMILY WILL RECEIVE GRACES
ONLY HEAVEN CAN GRANT JUSTICE TO THOSE WHO CHOOSE GOOD AND GOD
SO BE STRONG
IN THE NAME OF ALL GOOD CROATIAN PEOPLE THANK YOU FOR ALL TO YOU THOMAS AND OLLY & FRIENDS THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR CROATIA
WHEN HUMANS FAIL GOD PAYS HUNDRED FOLD
SO MAY THEY REST IN PEACE AND THEIR LOVED ONCE RECIVE EVERY BLESSING HEAVEN CAN GRANT TO FAMILY OF HEROS
YOU MUST BE PROUD TO HAVE FAMILY MEMBER WHO PROTECTED SO MANY WHEN NO ONE WAS THERE FOR THEM
THOMAS AND OLLY WERE PROFESSONAL WHO SHARE LOVE AND KNOWLEDGE FOR FELLOW HUMAN
GOD BE WITH THEM AND THEIR LOVED ONES AND I HOPE WORLD LEARNS ABOUT POWER OF “VIRTUES” THOSE GUYS HAD
THANK YOU THOMAS AND OLLY AND ALLTHE OTHER ONES FOR ALL YOU DID FOR THOSE WHO NEEDED SO BADLY THE HELP AND THANK GOD FOR YOUR FAMILIES WHO SHARED YOU WITH CROATIA WHEN WE NEEDED THE MOST
GOD BLESS YOU ALL
KEEP THIS LIGHT ON AND SPREAD GOOD NEWS ABOUT HEROS
WORLD NEEDS TO SEE VIRTUES PEOPLE IN ACTION
TO INSPIRE MORE GOOD GUYS TO STAND UP AGAINST EVIL AND WRONG
THOMAS AND OLE INSPIRE GOOD AND BRING LOVE OF
GOD WITH CHOICES AND SACRIFICE THEY MADE IT
EVEN MORE WITH HUMILITY ….
GOD BE WITH YOU ALL
L.K
Thank you L.K. – the good will never forget!
He was a true Hero and Man Of Honor. Many thanks to our Irish brother, we salute you !
A brave Irishman who fought and died for a foreign nation. Not the first irish man to do so nor will he be the last Terrible to say that his own government (irish) dont reckonise his bravery. Shame on them. A true HERO. May he rest in peace.
Another one of the Wild Geese, Irish men who have fought for good Causes all around the world, a Hero Thomas Crowley.