At left: T/5 Keith Crawford, U.S. Army.
The Western Star, January 19, 1945 T5 KEITH CRAWFORD KILLED IN BELGIUM
Was Husband of Evelyn Wall-Crawford of Coldwater.Mrs. Evelyn Crawford, who conducts a beauty shop in Coldwater, received a telegram from the War Department on January 15, stating her husband, Technician Fifth Grade Keith Crawford, was killed in action December 23 in Belgium, likely during the German break through from the western edge of Germany.
Keith was called for Army training November 23, 1943, and was first stationed at Camp Polk, La., before being moved to Blythe, Calif. Later he was transferred to Camp Pickett, Va., where he remained two months.
In December, 1942, he was moved to Indiantown Gap, Penn., where he was in training nine months, going overseas sometime in September, 1943.
He continued his training in England and entered France with the U. S. Army. During all his Army life he was in the Medical Corps and was an ambulance driver. Last fall while helping to pick up wounded American soldiers in France he and five other unarmed medical men were captured by three German soldiers and were held prisoner for three hours. During this time he and his buddies talked the Germans into surrendering and the Nazis were brought back to our lines by the six Yanks.
The last letter received from T5 Crawford was written from Germany on December 11. He was with the Third Armored Division and was overseas 10 months. Keith Crawford, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Crawford of Garden City, Kans., was born September 26, 1919, at Garden City, Kans., and died in action in Belgium on December 23, 1944, at the age of 25 years, two months and 27 days. He spent his childhood at Garden City and was graduated from the Garden City High School in 1940. He was employed by the Sally Ed Cleaners in that city before entering the army. Keith was a favorite with his classmates and was a young man of sterling character. He was a member of the Christian church.
On August 31, 1941, he was united in marriage to Miss Evelyn Wall at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Perry Wall, in Wilmore and she remained with her husband during his nine months in Pennsylvania before going overseas.
He is survived by his parents, his faithful wife and by two sisters , Mrs. Lynn Russell and Mrs. Jack Webb of Garden City.
The sympathy of all is extended the sorrowing relatives in the loss of this fine young soldier who has made the Supreme Sacrifice.
The Western Star , January 26, 1945. MEMORIAL SERVICE SUNDAY
A memorial service for T5 Keith Crawford, husband of Mrs. Evelyn Wall-Crawford of Coldwater, will be held next Sunday afternoon in the Garden City, Kansas Christian church, it is announced. Keith was killed in Belgium on December 23. It was learned last week.
Perry Wall, father-in-law of Keith Crawford, father of Evelyn (Wall) Crawford, who later married Gene Dorsey.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for transcribing and contributing the above news articles!
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This page was created 01 Feb 2004 and last updated 28 Feb 2006.
