Page 115 - The CRAIG family

1941 – 1942: When Uncle George was 15-16 years old, he hitch-hiked to Grandma Adams house and told Daddy and Grandma and Papa that he wanted to stay with them. Daddy, Grandma and Papa explained to him why he couldn’t just take off and leave and Daddy called Alden to let him know George was safe. Alden drove to Sellersburg to get him. Daddy said Alden loved George very much but his wife, Leona, was very jealous of George and he was unhappy living with her.
It wasn’t very long after that that Uncle George hitch-hiked again to Sellersburg and this time told Daddy and everyone that he was not going to return to Rising Sun, no matter what they said. Daddy called Aunt Charlotte and after much conversation with the family and Alden, it was agreed that he would stay with Aunt Charlotte for a while.
Uncle George turned 17 years old on August 2, 1942, but he lied about his age and on August 20 or 25, 1942 (according to Naval Records), in Louisville, KY, he enlisted in the Navy. He, Daddy, and Uncle Ed all left for the service in August, 1942. Navy Service No: 287-67-94
Uncle George enlisted under his adopted name of George Allen Sparks. We always heard that Uncle George changed his name back to Craig some time when he was in the Navy. Looking at Naval Records, it is certain that from 1942 to at least November 1946, he served under the name of Sparks. In October 1947, he was serving under the name of George A. Craig.
We heard lots of stories of their escapades while the brothers were serving together. Daddy and Uncle Ed were in San Diego and Uncle George was there quite often so they got to be together. Daddy and Uncle Ed were always teasing Uncle George about wearing his “Dixie Cup” jauntily on the back of his head.
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