World War II Honoree

Wilson Dale Crane

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Mathis, Texas

Honored By

Martin Crane

Relationship

Son

JOINED THE NAVY IN JUNE 1941. GRADUATED BOOT CAMP IN SAN DIEGO WITH COMPANY 41-80 AND TRAINED AS AVIATION METALSMITH AT NAVAL AIR STATION IN SEATTLE, SAND POINT WASHINGTON. SHIPPED TO HAWAII ABOARD SS LURLINE IN FEBRUARY 1942 AND ASSIGNED TO VP-24, FLEET AIR WING 2 NAVAL AIR STATION PEARL HARBOR, THEN ASSIGNED TO HEADQUARTERS SQUADRON AT KENEOHE BAY, HAWAII AS AVIATION MACHINIST'S MATE. FLEW PATROLS IN AND MAINTAINED PBY CATALINA AIRCRAFT. SPENT TIME AT ADVANCE BASE, NAVAL AIR STATION CANTON IN THE PHOENIX ISLANDS, SOUTH PACIFIC. MAY 1944, TRANSFERRED TO HEADQUARTERS SQUADRON, FLEET AIR WING 6 NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, WASHINGTON AS AN INSTRUCTOR ON PV-1 VENTURA AIRCRAFT. ENDED THE WAR PREPARING FOR NORTHERN INVASION OF JAPAN WITH VPB 101. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN SEPTEMBER 1945 AS AVIATION MACHINIST MATE FIRST CLASS. EARNED NAVY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC PACIFIC THEATER MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.