The WWII Veteran Who Started the Goop Hand Cleaner Company
John Critzas, founder of Critzas Industries, Inc., makers of Goop cleaning products since 1949.
MomsGoop.com salutes the founder of the Goop Hand Cleaner company, John Critzas. John was a tank gunner in the 714 Tank Battalion, part of the 12th Armored Division under General George Patton. The 12th was referred to as the "Hellcats," a nickname from 1943 symbolizing the 12th's toughness and readiness for combat.
It is our honor to share with you some of their history in conjunction with the 12th Armored Division Museum.
About The 12th Armored Division
Armored Divisions were first developed and used during WWII. They included all three major combat-arms branches of the Army- Infantry, Tank, and Artillery battalions. Armored Divisions also included support units such as Medical, Signals, Engineer, and Ordnance battalions. All units were mechanized- meaning that all men rode in vehicles- so that the entire Division could move at the same pace. The Division consisted of:
3 battalions of Armored Field Artillery. Self-propelled 105mm howitzers called the M7 “Priest.” These battalions enabled American forces to lay down a large quantity of highly accurate destructive power from a safe distance.
3 battalions of Medium Tanks, the M4A1 Sherman. Tank battalions were instrumental in providing highly mobile firepower in battle.
3 battalions of Armored Infantry. The Armored Infantry traveled in armored half-tracks, allowing them to travel faster than conventional infantry.
Support Units: Medical, Engineers, Ordnance, Signal Corps, Anti-Aircraft Artillery, and Headquarters.
Far left, John Critzas, found of Critzas Industries, Inc., makers of Goop Hand Cleaner products.
The 12th Armored Division Museum - A Unique World War II Museum
The 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum holds a rare place among military museums. Visitors, who tour military museums throughout the United States and Europe, say it is the only one dedicated to telling the story of one unit’s combat history in WWII. The museum uses three floors of exhibits to tell the story of the 12th Armored Division.
John’s oral history video from the 12th Armored Museum Oral History Project.. (1 hr., 49 min.)
Liberating Concentration Camps
The 12th Armored Division captured an intact bridge at Dillingen on April 22nd, 1945. This allowed Allied forces to cross the Danube River into Southern Germany. The 12th Armored Division is officially credited with the liberation of Hurlach 4 outside of Landsberg Germany on April 27, 1945. The camp was in the process of being destroyed by the SS; inmates of the camp had been locked into their hovels and the hovels were set on fire. Within the 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum Archives, there are accounts of many other camps being liberated. Learn more about the 12th Armored camp liberations.
We recommend that you visit the 12th Armored Division Museum site to learn more about John and other American WWII heroes. Also, visit the 12th Armored Division Facebook page for current information and events.
