ELMER F. CRAIN, JR., ENS, USN
Elmer Crain, Jr '44
Lucky Bag
From the 1944 Lucky Bag:
Elmer Franklin Crain
Dallas, Texas
Everybody seemed to be Frank's "old and good buddy-buddy," to use his own expression. His genial Texas friendliness made him well known and well liked throughout the Regiment, to upperclass and underclass alike. From the Lone Star State, the pistol proved to be a "natural" for him, as he became one of the best shots in the Regiment. It's said you can shoot better when your heartbeat is feeble from a hangover. Because weekends were Frank's specialty, he had little or no trouble in winning his "N." With his engaging personality and driving stamina, he doesn't have to worry about getting along in the Navy.
The Class of 1944 was graduated in June 1943 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Elmer Franklin Crain
Dallas, Texas
Everybody seemed to be Frank's "old and good buddy-buddy," to use his own expression. His genial Texas friendliness made him well known and well liked throughout the Regiment, to upperclass and underclass alike. From the Lone Star State, the pistol proved to be a "natural" for him, as he became one of the best shots in the Regiment. It's said you can shoot better when your heartbeat is feeble from a hangover. Because weekends were Frank's specialty, he had little or no trouble in winning his "N." With his engaging personality and driving stamina, he doesn't have to worry about getting along in the Navy.
The Class of 1944 was graduated in June 1943 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Loss
Elmer was lost when USS Trout (SS 202) was sunk, probably by depth charge attack, on February 29, 1944.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Elmer went by Franklin in high school and graduated in January 1939 from W. H. Adamson. Entered from Peeler, ’35. Football; 2B Officer; Camp Dallas; Jr. Hi-Y; Sr. Hi-Y; Crack Company; Scholarship Club; Rifle Team; First Sargeant’s Efficiency; Second Lieutenant R. O. T. C.
In 1940 his father was a building construction contractor, mother Annie, sister Hazelle. Elmer was delivering newspapers.
His wife was listed as next of kin. Elmer is listed at the Courts of the Missing in Hawaii.
Photographs
From his high school yearbook
Related Articles
Bernard Barila, Jr. ’44 was also on the rifle and pistol team.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
