ENS ELMER F. CRAIN, JR., USN

Class 1944

Born February 13, 1921

Died February 29, 1944

Age 23

Hometown Dallas, Texas

Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1944 Lucky Bag:

Elmer Franklin Crain

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

Source

Bernard Barila, Jr. ’44 was also on the rifle and pistol team.

Class of 1944

Elmer is one of 66 members of the Class of 1944 on Virtual Memorial Hall.