"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the
call of duty. On November 8, 1942, near Port Lyautey, French Morocco,
Col. Craw volunteered to accompany the leading wave of assault boats to
the shore and pass through the enemy lines to locate the French
commander with a view to suspending hostilities. This request was first
refused as being too dangerous but upon the officer's insistence that he
was qualified to undertake and accomplish the mission he was allowed to
go. Encountering heavy fire while in the landing boat and unable to
dock in the river because of shell fire from shore batteries, Col. Craw,
accompanied by 1 officer and 1 soldier, succeeded in landing on the
beach at Mehdia Plage under constant low-level strafing from 3 enemy
planes. Riding in a bantam truck toward French headquarters, progress of
the party was hindered by fire from our own naval guns. Nearing Port
Lyautey, Col. Craw was instantly killed by a sustained burst of
machine gun fire at pointblank range from a concealed position near the
road."
From Col. Craw's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on March 4, 1943.
Thank you for your bravery and service and may you be at peace,
Brian
Memorial marker at Mehdia Beach, Morocco.
Memorial at the Demas T. Craw Army Reserve Center in Traverse City, Michigan.
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