Robert Craig (Medal of Honor)
Robert Craig | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | June 7, 1919 Scotland |
| Died | July 11, 1943(aged 24) near Favoratta,Sicily |
| Place of burial | Toledo Memorial Park, Sylvania, Ohio |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1941 - 1943 |
| Rank | Second Lieutenant |
| Unit | 15th Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
United States ArmySecond LieutenantRobert Craig(June 7, 1919–July 11, 1943) received theMedal of Honorfor heroic service as aninfantryofficerduring theAllied invasionofSicilyinWorld War II.
Early life
[edit]Robert Craig was born in Scotland, emigrating with his family to the United States and settling inToledo, Ohio.He had two siblings; William Craig, Jr. and Jane M. Craig. All three children were born in Scotland and immigrated to the United States (Toledo) with their parents; William Craig, Sr. and Jane (Montgomery) Craig.
Military service
[edit]Craig entered theUnited States Armyin February 1941[1]and was commissioned aSecond Lieutenantofinfantry.Lieutenant Craig served with the 15th Infantry of theThird Infantry Division.
On July 11, 1943, during his service leading troops inOperation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily,Craig set out to destroy anItalian Armymachine gunnest that had halted the advance of hiscompany,making his attempt following the wounding of three other officers who had tried to locate and silence that machine gun emplacement. Craig located the enemy position and snaked his way to a point within 35 yards of the gun before being discovered. Charging into the answering fire, Craig reached the machine gun and killed its three crewmen.
Shortly thereafter, as his company advanced further, Craig and hisplatoon,in a position devoid of cover and concealment on the forward (downhill) slope of a ridge, encountered the fire of approximately 100 enemy soldiers. Craig ordered his men to withdraw to the cover of the crest while he drew the enemy fire to himself, charging the enemy until he was within 25 yards of them. From a kneeling position, he killed five and wounded three enemy soldiers while providing the covering fire enabling his platoon to reach the cover of the crest. Lt. Craig was killed by enemy fire, but his men carried on. His example is credited with spurring them to victory.[2]
Posthumous honors
[edit]On May 26, 1944, Lt. Craigposthumouslyreceived theMedal of Honorfor "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty."[2]
During construction of theToledo, Ohiofreeway system, abascule bridgecrossing theMaumee Riverwas named theRobert Craig Memorial Bridgein his honor, eventually carryingInterstate 280.Today, this bridge still exists as a local street, carryingOhio State Route 65across the Maumee River between North Summit Street and Front Street.
Honored in ship naming
[edit]TheU.S. ArmyshipUSATLt. Robert Craigwhich operated in thePacific Oceanat the end ofWorld War IIwas named in his honor.
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^WWII Army Enlistment Records
- ^ab "Medal of Honor Citation for Robert Craig".United States Army.1944-05-26.Retrieved2006-12-11.
External links
[edit]- "Robert Craig".Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients.Find a Grave.Retrieved2008-07-03.