Colonel Tom Jeffrey was CO of the 100th from May 1944 until February 2, 1945. Crosby had greatly respected Col. Jeffrey and “was sad to see him go.” This is especially true given that their new CO, Frederick Sutterlin, “flown no combat and had little experience with navigators.”
The very next day, famed 100th pilot “Rosie” Rosenthal was shot down. The near-simultaneous loss of an excellent Group Commander whom he trusted and the loss of a very dear friend had to be hard on Crosby. Time and time again he’s having to prove himself to those ranking above and below him, in addition to building new friendships, only for them to be ripped away.
Shortly thereafter, Col. Jeffrey called Crosby to offer him the position of co-USSTAF Navigator. If he accepted he’d be stationed in Paris with Col. Jeffrey.
"I'm in Paris, and, Croz, this is the life. You better come on over."
"Sounds great. When and how?"
While in Paris he got a taste of the life he would have should he accept this new role. He also learned that he would be promoted to Colonel, and become the navigation advisor for the whole of air warfare in Europe and Africa. He wouldn’t have to fly or plan any more missions, in fact, to Crosby’s surprise, he wouldn’t have to do much.
"Captain Thatcher is the one who does the job. All you would have to do here is wear your medals. When big shots from Washington come here you would talk to them about the Bloody Hundredth and your missions, and keep them off General Spaatz' back."
Maybe Col. Jeffrey heard about what happened to Rosie, knew just how close the two had been and knew how much losing Rosie would hurt Crosby. He also had seen how hard Crosby worked himself and knew that if anyone deserved a permanent break it was him.
But despite the urge he might have to accept this way out that he’d been given by Col. Jeffrey, Crosby declined. On the flight back to base from France, sitting alone in the back of the C-47, Crosby thought about those he’d be leaving behind at Thorpe Abbotts. And maybe he thought of Rosie, who couldn’t stand the idea of going home when there was still a war to fight and fought tooth and nail to get back on flight ops. Maybe to decline was to honor his friends.
