After boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, he served in port security at Brest, France, under General Smedley D. Butler (after the World War I Armistice), returned as a private first class, and was discharged December 1919.

Lieutenant Colonel Crowe served with the 8th Marines in New Zealand and Hawaii before he returned to the United States in September 1944, for treatment of wounds sustained at Saipan.

Naval Hospital at San Diego in March 1945, and the following month was named Training Officer of Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, at Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii.

He remained with the 1st Shore Party Battalion, 1st Marine Division from September 1950 to May 1951 and was awarded the two Legions of Merit with Combat "V" (one by the army) for outstanding service during the Inchon-Seoul Campaign and Wonsan landing.

He later served there as chief of the Administrative Schools Section before assuming command of the headquarters and service battalion at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, in January 1953.

Following his detachment from San Diego, he completed his final tour of duty June 1957 to March 1960, as commanding officer, Marine Barracks, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia.

Courageously leading his Battalion ashore in the face of savage enemy resistance, Major Crowe maintained continuous aggressive pressure for three days from the limited beachhead established by his command in the midst of Japanese emplacements and strongholds.

Constantly exposing himself to hostile fire and working without rest, he effectively coordinated the efforts of his own hard-pressed Battalion, attached units and subsequent reinforcement, directing their combined attacks skillfully and with unwavering determination, and succeeded in overcoming one of the most heavily defended Japanese centers of resistance on Tarawa Atoll.

Major Crowe's inspiring leadership, brilliant tactical ability and indomitable fighting spirit under extremely perilous conditions reflect great credit upon himself, his valiant command and the United States Naval Service.