(1921-2003) Army PFC, awarded the MOH for his extraordinary actions on Okinawa, May 31, 1945. During 12 days of intense fighting, the Japanese had repeatedly thrown back battalion strength attacks on Hen Hill, the tactical position on which the entire Naha-Shuri-Yonaburu line and the defense of Okinawa rested. Craft, along with 5 companions volunteered to feel out Japanese resistance on the hill. Coming under an intense attack that wounded 3 and pinned down the others, Craft stood up and against suicidal odds launched a one-man attack on the enemy. Standing in full view he used his brilliant marksmanship to kill off each enemy as they appeared. Moving up the hill he reached their first trench and threw grenades at close range until he destroyed it and other positions, eventually using up two cases of grenades. As panic seized the defenders Craft methodically pumped rifle fire into the Japanese troops at pointblank range, killing many and driving others into hiding into heavily fortified caves. When a satchel charge he had thrown into the cave failed to explode, he went into the cave and retrieved it, re-lit it and sealed the Japanese into their tomb. During this action Craft killed at least 25 of the enemy and single-handedly took the key position, which had frustrated battalion strength attacks for nearly two weeks. With the loss of Hen Hill the entire Japanese defense line quickly crumbled. Check everything - Sig. "Medal of Honor Recipient (he has actually written Perticipant) - Clarence B. Craft"

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