CRABTREE, Joseph J. (1924-1944)

CRABTREE

Posted By: Marilyn Norris Holmes
Date: 11/9/2018 at 15:57:18

Unidentified Newspaper
Find A Grave Memorial for Joseph J. Crabtree

TAMA, Ia. - The casketed remains of Navy Signalman Second Class Joseph Crabtree of Tama, and Pvt. Albert L. Hanus of Highland township, southwest of Tama, arrived in Tama Wednesday and last rites for Crabtree were at 2:30 p.m. at the Harrison funeral home with Rev. Fr. Paul J. LaValette, chaplain of the Tama Legion, in charge. The Tama Legion post had charge of the services at the grave in Oak Hill cemetery.

The body of Crabtree was returned from Manilla, where he was buried after losing his life aboard a destroyer in the South Pacific in June, 1944. He was mortally wounded by a steel fragment which struck his head while on the bridge of the USS Kalk when attacked by Jap aircraft off Biak island in the New Guinea area. He died three hours later.

WAS AT PEARL HARBOR

Crabtree was on the battleship Nevada at Pearl Harbor when the Japs attacked on Dec. 7, 1941. He was burned on the arms and legs, and was hospitalized for some time. He participated in the invasion of North Africa, Sicily and Italy, before being sent to the South Pacific.

He was married in December, 1943, during a 15-day leave, to Julia Meade, of Oxford Junction, and they were the parents of a son, Gary Leland, now 3. The widow remarried and is now Mrs. Wilbur Gottschalk of Clarence.

Crabtree was 21 years old when he lost his life. He was born Mar. 21, 1924, at Perry, Ia., son of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Crabtree, and was a small child when his parents moved to Toledo and later to Tama. He attended school in Toledo and Tama.

Surviving with his widow are his father of Des Moines; his mother, Mrs. Josie Norris of Tama; a brother, Edgar, and four sisters, Mrs. Gertrude Pates, Mrs. Esther Crawford and Mrs. Della Flowers, Tama, and Mrs. Maxine Varner, Mason City.