World War II Honoree

William Craycroft

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Lake City, Illinois

Honored By

Margaret, Robert, Gary & Theresa Craycroft

Relationship

Family

NOVEMBER 21, 1944 TO NOVEMBER 7, 1945 SERVED ON USS CORVUS AKA-26. JANUARY 26, 1945: CROSSED THE 180TH MERIDIAN AT 0500. APRIL 1, 1945: PARTICIPATED IN THE INITIAL AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT ON THE WEST COAST OF OKINAWA GUNTO. DURING THE INITIAL ASSAULT AND SUBSEQUENT UNLOADING APRIL 1-10, 1945 WHILE THIS VESSEL WAS SUBJECTED TO NUMEROUS HEAVY, CONCENTRATED AERIAL BOMBINGS AND SUICIDE ATTACKS, HE DISPLAYED HIGH DEVOTION TO DUTY IN KEEPING WITH THE BEST TRADITIONS OF THE NAVAL SERVICE. SEPTEMBER 25, 1945: PARTICIPATED IN THE INITIAL LANDING OF OCCUPATION FORCES AT AOMORI, HONSHU, JAPAN. NOVEMBER 7, 1945: TRANSFERRED TO USS IMPROVE AM-247 FOR DUTY. JANUARY 3, 1946: DURING PERIOD 15 NOVEMBER TO 21 DECEMBER 1945 PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION WHICH INVOLVED MINE SWEEPING OPERATIONS IN AND AROUND THE ISLAND OF FORMOSA (TAIWAN) AND THE STRAITS OF FORMOSA. THIS OPERATION WAS ACCOMPLISHED SUCCESSFULLY DESPITE ADVERSE CONDITIONS.