- Date Of Birth: October 10, 1921
- Date Of Death: February 7, 2008
- State: New Mexico
Frank M. Crawford, 86
US Marine Veteran
Frank Martinez Crawford, 86, passed away on Thursday, February 7, 2008 at his home in Alamogordo. He was born on October 10, 1921 in Tularosa, NM to Victorino and Mariana (Martinez) Crawford. Frank met and later married Erminia Rodriguez on Sept 5, 1943 in Los Angeles, CA.
When Pearl Harbor was attacked Frank Crawford joined the Marine Corps. He was 20 years old and living in southern California. Less than one year later, on August 7, 1942 he and fellow Marines landed at one of a chain of islands in the south pacific known as Guadalcanal. They were the first Marines and the third battalion of the second Marines to serve until they were relieved of their duty in March of 1943. Crawford recalls celebrating his 21st birthday on October 10th on the island by opening a can of rations with his fellow Marines.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Erminia Crawford of the family home; four daughters, Mary Frances Padilla and husband Richard of Alamogordo, Margaret de la O and Al Costa of Fremont, CA, Lucille Beach and husband Bert of Alamogordo and Elizabeth Lopez and husband Marty, III of Albuquerque; fourteen grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.
A Rosary will be recited by Dolores Otero at 7:00 PM, on Monday, Feb 11, 2008 at St. Francis de Paula Catholic Church.
