Nearly 74 Years Later, Family of WWII Hero Accepts His Medal

The family of Metalsmith First Class Roy “Maro” Craig was recently presented a prestigious military medal he had earned nearly 74 years earlier while serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Craig was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his heroic actions on Jan. 3, 1945, while stationed aboard the USS Robert F. Keller, a destroyer escort vessel that was damaged in a collision during a two-day attack on Japanese shipping and aircraft in the Ryukyu Islands and Formosa.

According to a letter sent to his wife Pauline several days after the incident, “Craig, Roy M., Metalsmith 1C, at a time when the mast lacked any proper support at all and when any motion of the ship in the quartering sea threatened to dismast her at any moment, climbed the top mast and there secured the first jury shroud rigged. This action, performed coolly and efficiently and in complete disregard of his personal safety, enabled the repair party to make the mast partially secure for the first time.”

After the mast was repaired, a Meritorious Mass was held to honor Craig and others who were responsible for the successful repair.

In recognizing Craig, then U.S. Navy Admiral J.H. Towers, issued a citation that stated “The port main shroud had parted and his ship was in danger of losing her mast while rolling in a seaway. Despite the personal hazards involved, he went aloft on the weaving mast to secure supports and contributed materially to saving the mast without impairment to the vital radar and radio antennae. His performance of duty was outstanding and his conduct was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

Craig was formally presented a commendation ribbon for his actions, but the commendation medal didn’t come until it was presented posthumously to his family in November at the Mills County Veterans Affairs Office.

Craig died in 1982 at the age of 58. His widow, Pauline Craig; son George “Mack” Craig; daughters Terry Craig and Lou Jensen; sister-in-law Rachel Carlile; grandson Craig Florian; and great-grandson Zane Florian were on hand last month at the Mills County Veterans Affairs Office for the medal presentation.

“My mother was very honored and pleased by the medal presentation,” Terry Craig said. “She was a war wife, it’s not like today where the wives can pick up the phone and talk to their husbands. She’d go weeks at a time without hearing from him.”

Terry Craig noted that her father’s heroic actions on the USS Robert F. Keller occurred three days before her own birth.

“It was a month to six weeks before he knew that I had been born,” she said. “He loved serving his country – he walked like a sailor and he talked like a sailor. He loved the military.”

Terry Craig said she’s appreciative of the efforts of the Mills County Veteran Affairs Office to finally get her family the medal her father deserved and a special U.S. Navy Medallion that was presented along with the medal last month.
“These people at the local veterans office are really doing a nice job for the veterans of Mills County,” she said.

The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal is one of a dozen awards Roy Craig was awarded during his military career from 1941-1946. He also received the Combat Action Ribbon, China Service Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Honorable Discharge Button, and Honorable Service Lapel Pin.

In addition to being assigned to the USS Robert F. Keller, he also served on the USS Tennessee, USS Waller, USS Natoma, USS Guadacanal and the USS Rushmore.