Edward A. Craig

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Edward A. Craig
Navy Cross
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Legion of Merit
(2)

Edward Arthur Craig (November 22, 1896 – December 11, 1994) was a

commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps, and a decorated combat veteran of World War II and the Korean War who eventually attained the rank of lieutenant general. Craig is best known as the general who commanded the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade
during its actions in the Korean War.

Early life

Edward Arthur Craig was born on November 22, 1896, in Danbury, Connecticut.[1] His father was an officer in the United States Army, so Craig, a military brat, spent much of his childhood moving around the country.[2] His father, Charles Franklin Craig, was a U.S. Army Medical Corps Officer and Tropical Medicine professional.

Craig had his first experience with the

US Marine Corps when he was 10 years old while sightseeing at the Washington Navy Yard, where he was arrested for photographing naval guns. The Marines released him after confiscating the film from his camera.[3]

Military career

Joining the Marines

He attended

Major General George Barnett, for a third try. He passed his third eye exam and was commissioned on August 23, 1917.[3] Craig later said his chief motivation to join the Marines was to fight in World War I, and he thought the failure of his eye test slowed his career considerably.[6] He also said his father did not approve of his decision to join the Marines, thinking them "a terrible bunch of drunks and bums".[5]

Occupation duties

Craig was trained at

oil fields in Tampico and other coastal areas from attack by the German Empire.[9] The regiment stayed there for 18 months, during which it trained intensely and Craig was promoted to first lieutenant.[10]

In April 1919, Craig was ordered to foreign shore duty in

La Romana. There he spent much of his time patrolling the area for bandits and rebels.[13] He spent eight months with the 70th Company before returning to Santo Domingo, being promoted to captain before returning to first lieutenant due to reorganization in the Marine Corps. He was then transferred to a remote outpost, Vincentillo, where he served for six months.[14]

He returned to the United States in December 1921, returning to Quantico before heading to

Olongapo Naval Station in the Philippines. Craig only stayed there briefly, though, as he was again dissatisfied with the station.[17]

Inter-war period

Major Craig (front row, first from left) with the staff of 2nd Marine Brigade in July 1936.
A large naval ship on the ocean
The USS Huron, where Craig spent two years as part of the Marine detachment.

In February 1924, Craig met a former commanding officer in a chance encounter and was able to trade places with an officer aboard the

Peking for around a month as part of another international force before returning to the Huron.[19]

Craig returned to the United States in March 1926, and was assigned to the

Major General Commandant at Headquarters Marine Corps, John A. Lejeune, in Washington, D.C. This post entailed numerous inspection trips and civilian duties with the general, whom Craig later said he liked. Craig remained in this post until Lejeune's retirement in 1929.[20]

In May 1929, Craig requested to be moved to

Platoon Leaders' Course, Inspector-Instructor of Reserve Battalion Field Training, and Base Adjutant.[22]

From June 1939 to June 1941, he was Marine officer and intelligence officer for

Naval Air Station at Pearl Harbor. Here, Craig was often on the move with King's staff as they moved and exercised throughout the Pacific Ocean. During this time, he also served under Charles Adams Blakely and William Halsey Jr., each of whom commanded the force for a short time.[23]

World War II

In July 1941, he again joined the Marine Base at San Diego and in October the same year was appointed

colonel.[25]

Craig sailed with the division for the South Pacific in February 1943.

Bougainville Campaign for months as they fought Japanese forces on the island. Craig's troops remained on the island until April 1944, when they were pulled back to Guadalcanal to prepare for another operation.[27] For his leadership during the campaign, Craig was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.[22]

Remaining as commanding officer of the regiment, he took part in the invasion and subsequent recapture of Guam, Marianas Islands, in July and August 1944. He was ordered to the V Amphibious Corps in September 1944, where he became Corps Operations Officer, in which capacity he planned and participated in the landing and assault on Iwo Jima in February 1945. For his participation in the fighting on Guam, he received the Navy Cross, and while serving as operations officer, V Amphibious Corps, he was awarded the Legion of Merit for outstanding services during the bitter campaign on Iwo Jima.

He returned to the United States in July 1945, and assumed duties as chief of staff of the Marine Training Command, San Diego Area.

Post-World War II

From October 1945 to July 1946, he served as commanding officer of the Redistribution Regiment of the Marine Training and Replacement Command, San Diego Area.[1]

After six months as Chief Instructor of the Troop Training Unit, Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet, during which time he was in charge of the Specialized Amphibious Training of Eighth Army Troops in Japan, he was promoted to brigadier general and again ordered overseas as assistant division commander, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced), Tientsin, China. On 1 June 1947 he was assigned as commanding general, 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, Fleet Marine Force on Guam, where he remained for two years.[1]

Korean War

General Craig (right) in conversation with Colonel Chesty Puller in Korea, September 25, 1950.
Marine Corps Birthday Celebration on November 10, 1950. Craig (right) with General Oliver P. Smith, Commander of 1st Marine Division near Hungnam, Korea.

The U.S. Marine Corps, which had been drastically reduced in size after World War II, was unprepared for another war at the outset of the

Lieutenant General Walton Walker, who placed it in his reserve.[29]

When the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade subsequently arrived in Korea, Craig once again became assistant division commander and took part in the landing at Inchon and operations in northeast Korea. The brigade took part in the Battle of Masan, the First and Second Battle of Naktong Bulge and the Battle of Yongsan during 1950. He was appointed to his present rank in January 1951. In March 1951, he returned to the United States, and assumed duties at Marine Corps Headquarters as director of the Marine Corps Reserve.[1]

While commanding the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star Medal, and the Air Medal with Gold Star in lieu of a second award.[22]

Later life

Lieutenant General Edward A. Craig served as director of the Marine Corps Reserve prior to his retirement on 1 June 1951, after more than thirty-three years of Marine Corps service.

He died on 11 December 1994 at his home in El Cajon, California, at the age of 98.[1]

Awards and decorations

Craig's awards and decorations include:[1]

A light blue military ribbon with five white stars with five points each.
V
Gold star
A purple military ribbon with a thick white line at each end
V
Gold star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Gold star
1st Row
Navy Cross
 Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star Medal
2nd Row
"V" Device
"V" Device
 Air Medal with service star U.S. Navy Presidential Unit Citation with three stars
3rd Row Navy Unit Commendation World War I Victory Medal with Transport Clasp Haitian Campaign Medal
award star
4th Row 2nd Nicaraguan Campaign Medal
Fleet Clasp
 American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
with silver campaign star
5th Row World War II Victory Medal Navy Occupation Service Medal China Service Medal National Defense Service Medal
6th Row Korean Service Medal
with four campaign stars
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
with two bronze oak leaves
United Nations Service Medal for Korea
 Korean War Service Medal[n 1] with four bronze campaign stars

Navy Cross citation

Citation:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Colonel Edward A. Craig (MCSN: 0-196), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Marianas Islands, from 21 July to 10 August 1944. An Aggressive and inspiring leader, Colonel Craig constantly directed his men in combat in the face of intense enemy fire from the time of landing with the assault elements of his regiment until organized resistance ceased. On 30 July, charged with capturing a portion of high ground on the force beachhead line and making contact with the Army on Mount Tenjo, Colonel Craig remained with his leading assault elements during the entire advance and, by his coolness under fire, provided inspiration for his officers and men. Personally directing the final assault on Mount Chachao, he kept casualties at a minimum by his expert judgment. When of his battalions encountered heavy enemy resistance near an important road junction during the advance to the northern end of Guam on 3 August, he took a position beside a tank advancing with the assault troops and, despite a constant stream of rifle and machine-gun fire, fearlessly remained there throughout the entire action of several hours to direct the attack which annihilated several hundred of the enemy. His outstanding ability, courageous leadership and devotion to duty were important factors in the success of the campaign and reflect the highest credit upon Colonel Craig and the United States Naval Service.[30]

Silver Star citation

Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Brigadier General Edward A. Craig (MCSN: 0-196), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Assistant Division Commander, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in the amphibious landing resulting in the capture of Inchon, Korea, on 15 September 1950 in the Inchon-Seoul operation. His actions contributed materially to the success of this operation and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.[30]

Citations

Notes

  1. ^ In 2000 this award was made retroactive to all US military who served in the Korean War.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Tatem 1968, p. iv
  2. ^ Tatem 1968, p. 4
  3. ^ a b c Tatem 1968, p. 1
  4. US Marine Corps, 2011, retrieved 2011-08-02[permanent dead link
    ]
  5. ^ a b Tatem 1968, p. 5
  6. ^ a b Tatem 1968, p. 3
  7. ^ Tatem 1968, p. 2
  8. ^ Tatem 1968, p. 6
  9. ^ Tatem 1968, p. 7
  10. ^ Tatem 1968, p. 8
  11. ^ Tatem 1968, p. 10
  12. ^ Tatem 1968, p. 11
  13. ^ Tatem 1968, p. 13
  14. ^ Tatem 1968, p. 18
  15. ^ Tatem 1968, p. 25
  16. ^ Tatem 1968, p. 26
  17. ^ Tatem 1968, p. 27
  18. ^ Tatem 1968, p. 28
  19. ^ Tatem 1968, p. 33
  20. ^ Tatem 1968, p. 37
  21. ^ Tatem 1968, p. 40
  22. ^ a b c d e Tatem 1968, p. v
  23. ^ Tatem 1968, p. 66
  24. ^ Tatem 1968, p. 68
  25. ^ Tatem 1968, p. 69
  26. ^ Tatem 1968, p. 70
  27. ^ Tatem 1968, p. 76
  28. ^ Appleman 1998, p. 258
  29. ^ Appleman 1998, p. 259
  30. ^
    Military Times
    .

Sources

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