World War II Honoree

Robert M. Cranford

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Little Rock, Arkansas

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Water Tender First Class. Inducted into the United States Navy July 11, 1939 at Little Rock, Arkansas, with recruit training at the U.S. Naval Training Station San Diego, California. Upon his graduation from boot camp, he was transferred to the USS Houston II Heavy Cruiser CA-30 for duty in the Boiler Room. The Cruiser and her shipmates participated in the Naval Battle of Sunda Strait, Dutch East Indies Campaign. On the night of February 28 and March 1, 1942 the Houston and an Australian Cruiser engaged a major Imperial Japanese Naval Force. Reported missing in action or buried at sea, when the Cruiser was sunk by enemy cannon fire and torpedoes, succeeding the battle. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippine Islands. Later his missing in action status ultimately, to read killed in action December 15, 1945. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.