Lt. James M. Crawford (1922-1944)

CRAWFORD

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 1/17/2011 at 22:05:33

Jackson Sentinel, March 31, 1944

Lt. James M. Crawford Dies In Plane Crash
Lt. James M. Crawford, 22 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Crawford of Maquoketa, died in a head on plane crash over El Toro Field at Santa Ana, California, it was learned here late Tuesday night. His mother and a sister, Margaret Ellen Crawford, have been at nearby Glendale for the past five weeks visiting him.

Lt. Crawford, a Marine Corps dive bomber pilot, had been stationed at El Toro field since January awaiting overseas assignment. He enlisted in the Navy Air Corps in July, 1942 and received his wings at Pensacola, Florida on October 1, 1943. He was then transferred to Jacksonville, Florida for training as a dive bomber pilot before being sent to Southern California. An honor student at Iowa Pre-Flight, he later transferred to Minneapolis, Minnesota where he was regimental commander of his squadron and where he was awarded the silver oak leaf for outstanding flight work. Lt. Crawford made an outstanding record with both the Navy and Marine Air Corps.

He was born in Maquoketa on June 18, 1922 and spent most of his life here where he attended Maquoketa High School and Junior College. Prior to his enlistment he spent one year in college at Southern California. He is survived by his parents, one brother, Glenn, who will report for training with the Navy within a few months and two sisters, Margaret and Maxine. One brother, Ronald, who had served in the Merchant Marine, preceded him in death two years ago. Mrs. Crawford and daughter will arrive home Sunday from Glendale and the body accompanied by Marine escort is expected Tuesday. The funeral service will be held later in the week at Carson-Balster funeral home and interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Jackson Obituaries maintained by Nettie Mae Lucas.
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