Lieutenant Colonel William J. Cribb, Jr. enlisted in 1942 in the Chemical Warfare Service; commissioned second lieutenant following officer candidate school.

Lieutenant Colonel Cribb served with the 5th CM Mortar Company and the 109th CM Processing Company. As part of the occupation forces in Japan, he served as platoon leader, executive officer and Company Commander 82nd CM Mortar BN.

In 1950, it was mandatory that Chemical Corps officers serve one year in a combat arms branch. With the 29th IN, in Korea, Lieutenant Colonel Cribb led his unit to a vantage point where they could effectively fire on the enemy divert fire and cover the withdrawal of the harassed company. He maintained this position so that some 300 men could extricate themselves from the hazardous position.

Less than a month later, Lieutenant Colonel Cribb again displayed gallantry as he skillfully adjusted mortar fire and was instrumental in wiping out two hostile mortar positions. He served the remainder of his career with the Chemical Corps, his last assignment was Instructor, Assistant Chief and Chief of the Department of Military Science and Tactics, Fort McClellan, Alabama.

His awards include the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star and Purple Heart with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters. He obtained a Bachelor of Science and Masters in Industrial Management from the University of Maryland.

Lieutenant Colonel Cribb retired from the Chemical Corps in 1964 and passed away in 1973.