Demas Thurlow Craw-Traverse City, MI
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 44° 45.498 W 085° 35.352
16T E 611659 N 4957069
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient for action near Port Lyautey, French Morocco on November 8, 1942. He was killed in action. He has a cenotaph marker in Oakwood Cemetery, Traverse City, MI on his father’s lot, Theron A. Craw, Plat 1, Lot 175.
Waymark Code: WMZHQ3
Location: Michigan, United States
Date Posted: 11/15/2018
Views: 5
He was born on April 9, 1900 in Traverse City MI and died on November 8, 1942 IN Kenitra, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Morocco. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: *CRAW, DEMAS T.
• Rank and organization: Colonel, U.S. Army Air Corps.
• Place and date. Near Port Lyautey, French Morocco, 8 November 1942
• Entered service at: Michigan
• G.O. No.: 11, 4 March 1943
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. On 8 November 1942, near Port Lyautey, French Morocco, Col. Craw volunteered to accompany the leading wave of assault boats to the shore and pass through the enemy lines to locate the French commander with a view to suspending hostilities. This request was first refused as being too dangerous but upon the officer's insistence that he was qualified to undertake and accomplish the mission he was allowed to go. Encountering heavy fire while in the landing boat and unable to dock in the river because of shell fire from shore batteries, Col. Craw, accompanied by 1 officer and 1 soldier, succeeded in landing on the beach at Mehdia Plage under constant low-level strafing from 3 enemy planes. Riding in a bantam truck toward French headquarters, progress of the party was hindered by fire from our own naval guns. Nearing Port Lyautey, Col. Craw was instantly killed by a sustained burst of machinegun fire at pointblank range from a concealed position near the road.
Armed Service: Air Force
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