James Maurice Craft, 87, of Verona, passed away on Saturday, December 26, 2020 at Augusta Health in Fishersville, Virginia.
Mr. Craft was born in Dehue, West Virginia on October 15, 1933, a son of the late Earl Adair and Ruby Gertrude (Biggs) Craft.
He was a retired veteran of the U.S. Army having achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class. He served his country proudly during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
He lied about his age to join the U.S. Army at the age of 16. He did this so he could leave the coal mining town he was born and raised in.
During the Korean War he served in the Ammo Section of the 2nd Infantry Division, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, "A" Battery. While serving in Korea he was captured during the battle of Hoengsong and was a prisoner of war at the age of 17. The place he was captured was later called "Massacre Valley" due to the amount of death and destruction the U.S. Military found when they re-entered the valley several weeks later.
During the Vietnam War he served as a Supply Sergeant in the 9th Infantry Division first for the 2nd Brigade and then for the 3rd Battalion 39th Infantry.
During his military career he received the following medals/awards:
Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Award, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation w/Palm, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation Badge, Army Commendation Medal, the Prisoner of War Medal, National Defense Service Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal w/4 Bronze Stars, Vietnam Service Medal w/4 Bronze Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device, Good Conduct Medal 4th Award, Marksman Badge w/Rifle Bar and Marksman Badge w/Carbine Bar.
He also retired from Armstrong Bros. Tool Company.
In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by a brother, Willard Craft and a sister, Phyllis Walls.
A private family graveside service was conducted at Culpeper National Cemetery on Wednesday, December 30, 2020.
Mr. Craft was born in Dehue, West Virginia on October 15, 1933, a son of the late Earl Adair and Ruby Gertrude (Biggs) Craft.
He was a retired veteran of the U.S. Army having achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class. He served his country proudly during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
He lied about his age to join the U.S. Army at the age of 16. He did this so he could leave the coal mining town he was born and raised in.
During the Korean War he served in the Ammo Section of the 2nd Infantry Division, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, "A" Battery. While serving in Korea he was captured during the battle of Hoengsong and was a prisoner of war at the age of 17. The place he was captured was later called "Massacre Valley" due to the amount of death and destruction the U.S. Military found when they re-entered the valley several weeks later.
During the Vietnam War he served as a Supply Sergeant in the 9th Infantry Division first for the 2nd Brigade and then for the 3rd Battalion 39th Infantry.
During his military career he received the following medals/awards:
Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Award, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation w/Palm, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation Badge, Army Commendation Medal, the Prisoner of War Medal, National Defense Service Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal w/4 Bronze Stars, Vietnam Service Medal w/4 Bronze Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device, Good Conduct Medal 4th Award, Marksman Badge w/Rifle Bar and Marksman Badge w/Carbine Bar.
He also retired from Armstrong Bros. Tool Company.
In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by a brother, Willard Craft and a sister, Phyllis Walls.
A private family graveside service was conducted at Culpeper National Cemetery on Wednesday, December 30, 2020.
James Maurice Craft, 87, of Verona, passed away on Saturday, December 26, 2020 at Augusta Health in Fishersville, Virginia.
Mr. Craft was born in Dehue, West Virginia on October 15, 1933, a son of the late Earl Adair and Ruby Gertrude (Biggs) Craft.
He was a retired veteran of the U.S. Army having achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class. He served his country proudly during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
He lied about his age to join the U.S. Army at the age of 16. He did this so he could leave the coal mining town he was born and raised in.
During the Korean War he served in the Ammo Section of the 2nd Infantry Division, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, "A" Battery. While serving in Korea he was captured during the battle of Hoengsong and was a prisoner of war at the age of 17. The place he was captured was later called "Massacre Valley" due to the amount of death and destruction the U.S. Military found when they re-entered the valley several weeks later.
During the Vietnam War he served as a Supply Sergeant in the 9th Infantry Division first for the 2nd Brigade and then for the 3rd Battalion 39th Infantry.
During his military career he received the following medals/awards:
Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Award, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation w/Palm, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation Badge, Army Commendation Medal, the Prisoner of War Medal, National Defense Service Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal w/4 Bronze Stars, Vietnam Service Medal w/4 Bronze Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device, Good Conduct Medal 4th Award, Marksman Badge w/Rifle Bar and Marksman Badge w/Carbine Bar.
He also retired from Armstrong Bros. Tool Company.
In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by a brother, Willard Craft and a sister, Phyllis Walls.
A private family graveside service was conducted at Culpeper National Cemetery on Wednesday, December 30, 2020.
Mr. Craft was born in Dehue, West Virginia on October 15, 1933, a son of the late Earl Adair and Ruby Gertrude (Biggs) Craft.
He was a retired veteran of the U.S. Army having achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class. He served his country proudly during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
He lied about his age to join the U.S. Army at the age of 16. He did this so he could leave the coal mining town he was born and raised in.
During the Korean War he served in the Ammo Section of the 2nd Infantry Division, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, "A" Battery. While serving in Korea he was captured during the battle of Hoengsong and was a prisoner of war at the age of 17. The place he was captured was later called "Massacre Valley" due to the amount of death and destruction the U.S. Military found when they re-entered the valley several weeks later.
During the Vietnam War he served as a Supply Sergeant in the 9th Infantry Division first for the 2nd Brigade and then for the 3rd Battalion 39th Infantry.
During his military career he received the following medals/awards:
Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Award, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation w/Palm, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation Badge, Army Commendation Medal, the Prisoner of War Medal, National Defense Service Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal w/4 Bronze Stars, Vietnam Service Medal w/4 Bronze Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device, Good Conduct Medal 4th Award, Marksman Badge w/Rifle Bar and Marksman Badge w/Carbine Bar.
He also retired from Armstrong Bros. Tool Company.
In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by a brother, Willard Craft and a sister, Phyllis Walls.
A private family graveside service was conducted at Culpeper National Cemetery on Wednesday, December 30, 2020.
