Clement Melvin "Clem" Craig

In December Craig was promoted to skipper of VF-22. In January 1945, the Cowpens launched air strikes against Formosa and on 21 January Craig scrambled a four-plane division, intercepting 18 Japanese aircraft. Leading the four, he downed five Tojos before he ran out of ammunition. Other members of his squadron downed 9 or 12 more. This action earned him a second Navy Cross.

In the interim between WWII and the Korean War Clem became Air Operations Officer at NAS Moffett Field, California. In Korea aboard the USS Princeton he commanded VF-193 completing 30 combat sorties in F4U Corsairs. After the war Craig remained in the Navy, serving in several command and staff positions. After assignment at NORAD in Colorado Springs, Clem retired a Commander in July 1962 with 22 years of service. He raised quarter horses and spent five years working for Lockheed Aviation. He had a wife, Margaret and twin sons Michael and Gerald. Clem passed away at the age of 87 in the Naval Retirement Home in Gulfport, Mississippi.

Tally Record: 11 3/4 confirmed and one probable.

Decorations: Navy Cross (with gold service star), Silver Star Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross (with six service stars), Air Medal (with 22 service stars), Presidential Unit Citation (with bronze star), Navy Unit Commendation (with bronze star), American Defense Medal (with Fleet Clasp), American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Med-al, WWII Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp), National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal (with three bronze stars), U.N. Service Medal, China Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation and Philippine Liberation Ribbon (with two bronze service stars).

L/C Clem Craig in the cockpit of his F4U Corsair

[2] Silver Star Citation - The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Clement Melvin Craig (NSN: 0-86053), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane of Fighting Squadron TWENTY-TWO, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Philippine Sea area, on 16 October 1944. Leading his division on a combat air patrol, Lieutenant Commander Craig skillfully maneuvered his plane to destroy four enemy torpedo planes, thereby defending the Task Force against enemy torpedo attacks. His cool courage under fire, airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

[2] Navy Cross Citation - The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Clement Melvin Craig (NSN: 0-86053), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Division Leader in Fighting Squadron TWENTY-TWO, in action against enemy Japanese forces off Panay Island, during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands, on 26 October 1944. Leading a four-plane division against heavy units of the Japanese Fleet, Lieutenant Commander Craig fought his way through the intense enemy defensive fire to score two direct rocket hits on a Japanese battleship. Despite the viciousness of the enemy battleship fire, he pressed home his attack on a nearby Japanese cruiser, scoring four damaging hits. His courage, airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

[3] Navy Cross Citation - The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Clement Melvin Craig (NSN: 0-86053), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Acting Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron TWENTY-TWO, during action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Formosa, on 21 January 1945. In the face of overwhelming odds, Lieutenant Commander Craig led his division against a numerically superior flight of enemy planes and during this single flight succeeded in personally shooting down five hostile aircraft while his splendidly directed division accounted for nine and possibly twelve more. By dispersing and destroying the enemy flight, he aided materially in the success of our Task Forces in the area. His airmanship, courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Commander Craig and the United States Naval Service.