Robert Craig (Medal of Honor)
Robert Craig | |
---|---|
Second Lieutenant | |
Unit | 15th Infantry Regiment |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Medal of Honor |
Early life
Robert Craig was born in Scotland, emigrating with his family to the United States and settling in Toledo, 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
Craig entered the
On July 11, 1943, during his service leading troops in
Shortly thereafter, as his company advanced further, Craig and his platoon, 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
On May 26, 1944, Lt. Craig
During construction of the Toledo, Ohio freeway system, a bascule bridge crossing the Maumee River was named the Robert Craig Memorial Bridge in his honor, eventually carrying Interstate 280. Today, this bridge still exists as a local street, carrying Ohio State Route 65 across the Maumee River between North Summit Street and Front Street.
Honored in ship naming
The
See also
References
- ^ WWII Army Enlistment Records
- ^ a b "Medal of Honor Citation for Robert Craig". United States Army. 1944-05-26. Retrieved 2006-12-11.
External links
- "Robert Craig". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 2008-07-03.