Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1950 Lucky Bag:

CRAIG EDWARD CROWLEY

A short career as a Deke at M.I.T. terminated by a Christmas Eve tour of a Wellesley constabulary sent Diz to Middy House, well-prepared for a struggle with a Naval education. Although never a star man, he made a minimum effort to remain sat. With his athletic ability confined mostly to the underside of his trousers, Diz was able to make an extensive study of the ceiling from his sack when not engaged as a stellar benchwarmer for the 150-Pound Football and Lacrosse Teams. The ability to make friends and his keen sense of humor will serve Diz well in any career that he might choose.

Loss

Craig was lost when his B-45 bomber crashed on October 8, 1953 in southern California. “At the time of his death, he was attached to U.S. Air Force Base, Sculthorpe, Norfolk, England.” (Information from December 1953 issue of Shipmate.) Two other crewmen aboard were killed; the plane was on a test flight prior this crew ferrying it to England.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz: “He was a 1945 graduate of the McDonogh School in Owings Mill, Maryland. He played guard for the school’s basketball team. At graduation, he won the social responsibility award.”

From the Baltimore Sun on October 14, 1953: “Lieutenant Crowley is survived by his mother, Mrs. Carl F. Espe, and his stepfather, Rear Admiral Carl F. Espe, both of Washington.”

His step father, Carl F. Espe, was a 1922 Naval Academy graduate and retired a Vice Admiral.

Craig is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Craig’s father, Edward Dupuis Crowley ‘25 died¹ in 1942 while serving as Repair Officer aboard USS Vestal (AR 4) in the South Pacific. Unable to find the exact nature of his loss, but as it was in the hospital (per December 1942 Shipmate) it appears it was not operational in nature.

From the Baltimore Sun on October 14, 1953: “His father, the late Lieut. Com. Edward D. Crowley, was seriously injured during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and died later during World War II in New Caledonia.” He had been transferred to the hospital on November 8 and died November 10, 1942.

Related Articles

Hubert Evans ‘50 was also a member of the 25th Company.

Memorial Hall Error

The Memorial Hall panel for the Class of 1950 has “LTCOL CRAIG E. CROWLEY, USN”. Craig was a 1st Lieutenant (not LTCOL) in the Air Force (not Navy).

References