World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Clair Allene Craig
Branch of Service
U.S. Coast Guard
Hometown
Pawnee, Oklahoma
Honored By
Robert S. Cox
ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE IN 1942. TRAINED AND SERVED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER DURING THE WAR, INCLUDING AT THE TRAINING SCHOOL FOR SPARS, COAST GUARD TRAINING STATION AT PALM BEACH, FLORIDA; AND IN WASHINGTON, D.C. SERVED AS A MUSICIAN AND MEMBER OF THE COAST GUARD WOMEN'S RESERVE (SPAR). THE TITLE 'SPAR' WAS TAKEN FROM THE COAST GUARD'S LATIN MOTTO 'SEMPER PARATUS' (ALWAYS READY). SHE WAS ONE OF ONLY 27 RATED WOMEN MUSICIANS AT THE TIME AND TRAVELLED WITH THE SPAR BAND THROUGHOUT THE EASTERN UNITED STATES ON 'VICTORY' BOND TOURS. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN 1945 WITH THE RATING OF MUSICIAN THIRD CLASS AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.