S2c Frederick George Crawford USN

Frederick George Crawford was born on September 15, 1924 to Mr. and Mrs. MA Crawford.  He was raised in Roswell NM and graduated from Roswell HS in the spring of 1942.  He attended NMAMC during the 1942-43 school year and then left school to enlist in the US Navy in May 1943.  By September he was onboard CVE - 56 USS Liscome Bay, an escort carrier launched August 7, 1943, as part of the initial crew.  After shake down training in San Diego, the Liscome Bay sailed for Hawaii in October and by early November was part of the armada engaged in the Gilbert Island invasions.  On November 24th 1943, at 5:10 a.m. Japanese submarine I-175 launched two torpedoes against her.  Both struck with large explosions and fire throughout ensuing and 20 minutes later she slipped stern first under the water.  Of her 911 crew, nearly 650 were declared dead or missing.   Seaman 2nd Class Frederick G Crawford was 19 years of age at the time he gave his life in service to his country.  He remains missing at sea and memorialized at the Hawaiian Memorial Cemetery.