Benjamin Earl Craig

These awards are based on the information below and per applicable DoD Directives and Awards Manuals:
U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal Awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal military service. It is awarded on a selective basis to each Soldier who distinguishes himself or herself from among his or her fellow Soldiers by their exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service.
American Campaign Service Medal Awarded for military service within the American Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946. (5)Within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of 1 year.
World War II Victory Medal Awarded for military service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, both dates inclusive.
 Note that this list may not include all awarded medals, devices, unit citations or qualification badges.
 **It is likely but unconfirmed that CPL Craig was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Documents, Forms and Resources Found or Not Found:
No  Application For Headstone or Marker, OQMG Form 623
No  Eyewitness Statement or Report
Yes Grave Marker Photo, Find A Grave
Yes National Archives Database, Enlistment Records
No  Official Squadron Accident Report
No  Photo of veteran, Find A Grave
Yes Washington Newspaper Obit, Notice, or Report
Yes WWII Draft Card Data
Yes WWII Hospital Admission Records

WWII Draft Card Data
Benjamin Earl Craig
Race, Gender: White Male  -  Age: 28
Birth Date: February 3, 1912  -  Birth Place: Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington
Residence Place: Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington
Registration Date: October 16, 1940  -  Registration Place: Washington State
Employer: Coast Sash And Door Co
Weight: 145, Height: 5' 10"
Complexion: Light
Eye Color: Blue  -  Hair Color: Brown
Next of Kin: Emma Craig
Members of Household: Benjamin Earl Craig, Self
Emma Craig, Mother

WWII Hospital Admission Records
Name: Benjamin E. Craig
Race: White, includes Mexican
Rank: Enlisted Man
Admission Age: 32
Birth Date: abt 1912
Admission Date: March 1944
Discharge Date: March 1944
Military Branch: Air Force, Transport/Bombardment Units
Diagnosis:
  First Location: Not Listed on form
  Second Location: Body, generally;
  Causative Agent: Not Listed on form
Injury Type: Injury, non-battle
Injured in Line of Duty: In line of duty
Type of Discharge: Died
Length of Service: 1 Year - 6 Months
Service Number: 19136105

Note 1: The death location, "Ten miles northwest of Oden, Arkansas" is based on the best information available at this time. In the case of CPL Craig, this location was verified on:

A. His Find-A-Grave listing states that he was assigned to the 475th Bomb Squadron, 335th Bomb Group, based out of Barksdale Field, Louisiana.

B. His Find-A-Grave listing states that he was killed in the crash of B-26C Bomber, ten miles northwest of Oden, Arkansas.

C. His Arkansas Death Certificate indicates that CPL Craig was "Dead on admission" and died as a result of an "Airplane crash" on March 11, 1944.

D. Further information on the 335th Bombardment Group at Barksdale Field, Louisiana can be found at the Wikipedia website 335th Bombardment Group.

Anyone with additional information or a more specific location is welcomed and encouraged to submit an email to: ww2updates@withmilitaryhonors.com.

The following information on this casualty is sourced from The National Archives Database:
 Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Enlistment Records)

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