US Marine Gunnery Sgt Thomas Arthur Craigg Jr, Retired, USMC, 1990.
Mr. Craigg was a young man from Sulpher Springs, AK, when at the age of 22 enlisted on September 17, 1940, in the U.S. Marine Corps. More than a year before America's official entry into World War II. When the war broke out Private First Class Tom Craigg was on the Philippine Island of Luzonin.
FALL of BATAAN: The war in the Pacific officially began Dec. 7, 1941, with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Soon after, the Japanese launched a successful offensive against Bataan. PFC Craigg was in the 4th Marine Regiment under operational control of the Army, General MacArthur's forces. PFC Craigg and his unit were ordered to the Battaan Peninsula to defend it and the Island of Corregidor against overwhelming large Imperial Japanese forces. Despite a valiant defense, the out numbered defenders were ordered to surrender on April 9, 1942. Tom was wounded in action, while defending the Philippines on May 2, 1942, at Corregidor and taken prisoner by the Japanese. He was transported to Japan In a hell ship and was forced to shovel coal in Japanese coal mines, 12 hours a day for almost 2 1/2 years. POW May 6, 1942, to August 26, 1945.
The awards for Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Arthur Craigg, Jr. include: The Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal w/combat "V" & Gold Star, Purple Heart W/2 Gold Stars, Combat Action Ribbon w/1 Gold Star, Presidential Unit Citation, Presidential Unit Citation (ARMY) w/1 Bronze Oak Leaf, Navy Unit commendation, Prisoner of War Medal, Good Conduct Medal w/1 silver star, American Defense Service Medal w/Base Clasp, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/1 bronze star, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal w/Europe Clasp, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal w/1 bronze star, Philippine Defense Ribbon w/1 bronze star, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations service Medal, Republic of Korea War Service Medal, Rifle Expert Badge, & Pistol Expert Badge.
Mr. Craigg was very active in local/state veteran's affairs, where he has served as the North Carolina State & local Commander for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV Chapter #16), Lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9133, & a member of the Order of the Purple Heart. He was a 32 Degree Mason (St. John's #1), a 32 Degree Scottish Rite and a Shriner.
From the Star News Online: Published: Sunday, April 6, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.
Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Arthur Craigg Jr. enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1940 and in 1942 he became a prisoner of war. Craigg died March 2 from respiratory failure at the age of 90. More than a year before America's official entry into World War II, Craigg enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 22, on Sept. 17, 1940. As a private first class, Craigg served under Gen. Douglas MacArthur's forces during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The successful Japanese attack against Bataan in the Philippines left Craigg wounded in action and a Japanese prisoner. He was forced to shovel coal in a mine for 12 hours a day for more than two years until his release on Aug. 26, 1945. Craigg was wounded again while serving in Korea and retired from active service in 1963. Craigg's son, Thomas Craigg III, said his father rarely spoke of his POW experience until the last 10 years of his life. "I can remember him having bad dreams since I was a child, but he wouldn't elaborate," Craigg said.
Craigg does remember his father speaking of the times he almost starved to death and how his father hated to see any animals deprived of food. "He had a big heart when it came to providing for the less fortunate," he said. Known as "Stoney" to the men who knew him as their sergeant, he was a "hard core drill instructor." Craigg was tough, but well respected by his troops, as is evident when a former cadet contacted Craigg after receiving a Silver Star, the highest valor award. "He told Dad he would have never made it in the Marines if it weren't for what he learned from him when he was in boot camp," Craigg said. Craigg left behind a legacy of honors from his service, from a Purple Heart with two gold stars and the Presidential Unit Citation, to the Silver and Bronze stars, to name a few. Most of Craigg's honors are ranked as the highest level of honor for serving in the military. And Craigg never strayed far from his military roots.
He was active in local and state veteran's affairs, serving as the N.C. State Local Commander for the Disabled Veterans. He also was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9133 and a member of the Order of the Purple Heart. Married to Allene Toler for 36 years, they raised their six children in Jacksonville from 1958 to 1982, until the couple purchased property in Blounts Creek, N.C., where he loved to fish. The Craiggs' talent for woodcrafts allowed them to travel to numerous cities for craft shows. Craigg returned to Jacksonville in 1996 after Allene's death. Margaret Jewell always loved being around the man who married her husband's aunt. "I remember Craigg as a first-class southern gentleman. I also thank him, and have in the past, for protecting our freedom," she said.
Mr. Craigg was a young man from Sulpher Springs, AK, when at the age of 22 enlisted on September 17, 1940, in the U.S. Marine Corps. More than a year before America's official entry into World War II. When the war broke out Private First Class Tom Craigg was on the Philippine Island of Luzonin.
FALL of BATAAN: The war in the Pacific officially began Dec. 7, 1941, with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Soon after, the Japanese launched a successful offensive against Bataan. PFC Craigg was in the 4th Marine Regiment under operational control of the Army, General MacArthur's forces. PFC Craigg and his unit were ordered to the Battaan Peninsula to defend it and the Island of Corregidor against overwhelming large Imperial Japanese forces. Despite a valiant defense, the out numbered defenders were ordered to surrender on April 9, 1942. Tom was wounded in action, while defending the Philippines on May 2, 1942, at Corregidor and taken prisoner by the Japanese. He was transported to Japan In a hell ship and was forced to shovel coal in Japanese coal mines, 12 hours a day for almost 2 1/2 years. POW May 6, 1942, to August 26, 1945.
The awards for Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Arthur Craigg, Jr. include: The Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal w/combat "V" & Gold Star, Purple Heart W/2 Gold Stars, Combat Action Ribbon w/1 Gold Star, Presidential Unit Citation, Presidential Unit Citation (ARMY) w/1 Bronze Oak Leaf, Navy Unit commendation, Prisoner of War Medal, Good Conduct Medal w/1 silver star, American Defense Service Medal w/Base Clasp, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/1 bronze star, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal w/Europe Clasp, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal w/1 bronze star, Philippine Defense Ribbon w/1 bronze star, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations service Medal, Republic of Korea War Service Medal, Rifle Expert Badge, & Pistol Expert Badge.
Mr. Craigg was very active in local/state veteran's affairs, where he has served as the North Carolina State & local Commander for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV Chapter #16), Lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9133, & a member of the Order of the Purple Heart. He was a 32 Degree Mason (St. John's #1), a 32 Degree Scottish Rite and a Shriner.
From the Star News Online: Published: Sunday, April 6, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.
Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Arthur Craigg Jr. enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1940 and in 1942 he became a prisoner of war. Craigg died March 2 from respiratory failure at the age of 90. More than a year before America's official entry into World War II, Craigg enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 22, on Sept. 17, 1940. As a private first class, Craigg served under Gen. Douglas MacArthur's forces during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The successful Japanese attack against Bataan in the Philippines left Craigg wounded in action and a Japanese prisoner. He was forced to shovel coal in a mine for 12 hours a day for more than two years until his release on Aug. 26, 1945. Craigg was wounded again while serving in Korea and retired from active service in 1963. Craigg's son, Thomas Craigg III, said his father rarely spoke of his POW experience until the last 10 years of his life. "I can remember him having bad dreams since I was a child, but he wouldn't elaborate," Craigg said.
Craigg does remember his father speaking of the times he almost starved to death and how his father hated to see any animals deprived of food. "He had a big heart when it came to providing for the less fortunate," he said. Known as "Stoney" to the men who knew him as their sergeant, he was a "hard core drill instructor." Craigg was tough, but well respected by his troops, as is evident when a former cadet contacted Craigg after receiving a Silver Star, the highest valor award. "He told Dad he would have never made it in the Marines if it weren't for what he learned from him when he was in boot camp," Craigg said. Craigg left behind a legacy of honors from his service, from a Purple Heart with two gold stars and the Presidential Unit Citation, to the Silver and Bronze stars, to name a few. Most of Craigg's honors are ranked as the highest level of honor for serving in the military. And Craigg never strayed far from his military roots.
He was active in local and state veteran's affairs, serving as the N.C. State Local Commander for the Disabled Veterans. He also was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9133 and a member of the Order of the Purple Heart. Married to Allene Toler for 36 years, they raised their six children in Jacksonville from 1958 to 1982, until the couple purchased property in Blounts Creek, N.C., where he loved to fish. The Craiggs' talent for woodcrafts allowed them to travel to numerous cities for craft shows. Craigg returned to Jacksonville in 1996 after Allene's death. Margaret Jewell always loved being around the man who married her husband's aunt. "I remember Craigg as a first-class southern gentleman. I also thank him, and have in the past, for protecting our freedom," she said.
US Marine Gunnery Sgt Thomas Arthur Craigg Jr, Retired, USMC, 1990.
Mr. Craigg was a young man from Sulpher Springs, AK, when at the age of 22 enlisted on September 17, 1940, in the U.S. Marine Corps. More than a year before America's official entry into World War II. When the war broke out Private First Class Tom Craigg was on the Philippine Island of Luzonin.
FALL of BATAAN: The war in the Pacific officially began Dec. 7, 1941, with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Soon after, the Japanese launched a successful offensive against Bataan. PFC Craigg was in the 4th Marine Regiment under operational control of the Army, General MacArthur's forces. PFC Craigg and his unit were ordered to the Battaan Peninsula to defend it and the Island of Corregidor against overwhelming large Imperial Japanese forces. Despite a valiant defense, the out numbered defenders were ordered to surrender on April 9, 1942. Tom was wounded in action, while defending the Philippines on May 2, 1942, at Corregidor and taken prisoner by the Japanese. He was transported to Japan In a hell ship and was forced to shovel coal in Japanese coal mines, 12 hours a day for almost 2 1/2 years. POW May 6, 1942, to August 26, 1945.
The awards for Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Arthur Craigg, Jr. include: The Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal w/combat "V" & Gold Star, Purple Heart W/2 Gold Stars, Combat Action Ribbon w/1 Gold Star, Presidential Unit Citation, Presidential Unit Citation (ARMY) w/1 Bronze Oak Leaf, Navy Unit commendation, Prisoner of War Medal, Good Conduct Medal w/1 silver star, American Defense Service Medal w/Base Clasp, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/1 bronze star, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal w/Europe Clasp, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal w/1 bronze star, Philippine Defense Ribbon w/1 bronze star, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations service Medal, Republic of Korea War Service Medal, Rifle Expert Badge, & Pistol Expert Badge.
Mr. Craigg was very active in local/state veteran's affairs, where he has served as the North Carolina State & local Commander for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV Chapter #16), Lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9133, & a member of the Order of the Purple Heart. He was a 32 Degree Mason (St. John's #1), a 32 Degree Scottish Rite and a Shriner.
From the Star News Online: Published: Sunday, April 6, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.
Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Arthur Craigg Jr. enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1940 and in 1942 he became a prisoner of war. Craigg died March 2 from respiratory failure at the age of 90. More than a year before America's official entry into World War II, Craigg enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 22, on Sept. 17, 1940. As a private first class, Craigg served under Gen. Douglas MacArthur's forces during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The successful Japanese attack against Bataan in the Philippines left Craigg wounded in action and a Japanese prisoner. He was forced to shovel coal in a mine for 12 hours a day for more than two years until his release on Aug. 26, 1945. Craigg was wounded again while serving in Korea and retired from active service in 1963. Craigg's son, Thomas Craigg III, said his father rarely spoke of his POW experience until the last 10 years of his life. "I can remember him having bad dreams since I was a child, but he wouldn't elaborate," Craigg said.
Craigg does remember his father speaking of the times he almost starved to death and how his father hated to see any animals deprived of food. "He had a big heart when it came to providing for the less fortunate," he said. Known as "Stoney" to the men who knew him as their sergeant, he was a "hard core drill instructor." Craigg was tough, but well respected by his troops, as is evident when a former cadet contacted Craigg after receiving a Silver Star, the highest valor award. "He told Dad he would have never made it in the Marines if it weren't for what he learned from him when he was in boot camp," Craigg said. Craigg left behind a legacy of honors from his service, from a Purple Heart with two gold stars and the Presidential Unit Citation, to the Silver and Bronze stars, to name a few. Most of Craigg's honors are ranked as the highest level of honor for serving in the military. And Craigg never strayed far from his military roots.
He was active in local and state veteran's affairs, serving as the N.C. State Local Commander for the Disabled Veterans. He also was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9133 and a member of the Order of the Purple Heart. Married to Allene Toler for 36 years, they raised their six children in Jacksonville from 1958 to 1982, until the couple purchased property in Blounts Creek, N.C., where he loved to fish. The Craiggs' talent for woodcrafts allowed them to travel to numerous cities for craft shows. Craigg returned to Jacksonville in 1996 after Allene's death. Margaret Jewell always loved being around the man who married her husband's aunt. "I remember Craigg as a first-class southern gentleman. I also thank him, and have in the past, for protecting our freedom," she said.
Mr. Craigg was a young man from Sulpher Springs, AK, when at the age of 22 enlisted on September 17, 1940, in the U.S. Marine Corps. More than a year before America's official entry into World War II. When the war broke out Private First Class Tom Craigg was on the Philippine Island of Luzonin.
FALL of BATAAN: The war in the Pacific officially began Dec. 7, 1941, with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Soon after, the Japanese launched a successful offensive against Bataan. PFC Craigg was in the 4th Marine Regiment under operational control of the Army, General MacArthur's forces. PFC Craigg and his unit were ordered to the Battaan Peninsula to defend it and the Island of Corregidor against overwhelming large Imperial Japanese forces. Despite a valiant defense, the out numbered defenders were ordered to surrender on April 9, 1942. Tom was wounded in action, while defending the Philippines on May 2, 1942, at Corregidor and taken prisoner by the Japanese. He was transported to Japan In a hell ship and was forced to shovel coal in Japanese coal mines, 12 hours a day for almost 2 1/2 years. POW May 6, 1942, to August 26, 1945.
The awards for Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Arthur Craigg, Jr. include: The Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal w/combat "V" & Gold Star, Purple Heart W/2 Gold Stars, Combat Action Ribbon w/1 Gold Star, Presidential Unit Citation, Presidential Unit Citation (ARMY) w/1 Bronze Oak Leaf, Navy Unit commendation, Prisoner of War Medal, Good Conduct Medal w/1 silver star, American Defense Service Medal w/Base Clasp, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/1 bronze star, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal w/Europe Clasp, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal w/1 bronze star, Philippine Defense Ribbon w/1 bronze star, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations service Medal, Republic of Korea War Service Medal, Rifle Expert Badge, & Pistol Expert Badge.
Mr. Craigg was very active in local/state veteran's affairs, where he has served as the North Carolina State & local Commander for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV Chapter #16), Lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9133, & a member of the Order of the Purple Heart. He was a 32 Degree Mason (St. John's #1), a 32 Degree Scottish Rite and a Shriner.
From the Star News Online: Published: Sunday, April 6, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.
Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Arthur Craigg Jr. enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1940 and in 1942 he became a prisoner of war. Craigg died March 2 from respiratory failure at the age of 90. More than a year before America's official entry into World War II, Craigg enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 22, on Sept. 17, 1940. As a private first class, Craigg served under Gen. Douglas MacArthur's forces during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The successful Japanese attack against Bataan in the Philippines left Craigg wounded in action and a Japanese prisoner. He was forced to shovel coal in a mine for 12 hours a day for more than two years until his release on Aug. 26, 1945. Craigg was wounded again while serving in Korea and retired from active service in 1963. Craigg's son, Thomas Craigg III, said his father rarely spoke of his POW experience until the last 10 years of his life. "I can remember him having bad dreams since I was a child, but he wouldn't elaborate," Craigg said.
Craigg does remember his father speaking of the times he almost starved to death and how his father hated to see any animals deprived of food. "He had a big heart when it came to providing for the less fortunate," he said. Known as "Stoney" to the men who knew him as their sergeant, he was a "hard core drill instructor." Craigg was tough, but well respected by his troops, as is evident when a former cadet contacted Craigg after receiving a Silver Star, the highest valor award. "He told Dad he would have never made it in the Marines if it weren't for what he learned from him when he was in boot camp," Craigg said. Craigg left behind a legacy of honors from his service, from a Purple Heart with two gold stars and the Presidential Unit Citation, to the Silver and Bronze stars, to name a few. Most of Craigg's honors are ranked as the highest level of honor for serving in the military. And Craigg never strayed far from his military roots.
He was active in local and state veteran's affairs, serving as the N.C. State Local Commander for the Disabled Veterans. He also was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9133 and a member of the Order of the Purple Heart. Married to Allene Toler for 36 years, they raised their six children in Jacksonville from 1958 to 1982, until the couple purchased property in Blounts Creek, N.C., where he loved to fish. The Craiggs' talent for woodcrafts allowed them to travel to numerous cities for craft shows. Craigg returned to Jacksonville in 1996 after Allene's death. Margaret Jewell always loved being around the man who married her husband's aunt. "I remember Craigg as a first-class southern gentleman. I also thank him, and have in the past, for protecting our freedom," she said.
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