Birth: Dec. 8, 1929 Williamsport Lycoming County Pennsylvania, USA Death: Aug. 14, 1950, South Korea VETERAN~KOREAN WAR~KILLED IN ACTION

Chester Leroy Craven, Jr. was born 08 December 1929, in Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, the son of Chester Leroy Craven and Cora Esther (nee Bradley) Craven. His Father died on 05 November 1933. Chester Craven, Jr. attended the Hershey Industrial School, and studied Drafting. He graduated in 1947.

On 12 December 1947, Chester Craven, Jr. enlisted in the U.S. Army, and he was sent for training. Private Craven was assigned to Company G, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, and was stationed in Japan for 14 months before being transferred to Korea on 22 July 1950.

It had happened before dawn on 25 June 1950. Less than 5 years after the terrible devastations of World War II, a new war broke out from a distant land, whose name means, “Morning Calm.” The decision of the United states to send immediate aid to South Korea came two days after the fast moving North Koreans broke through the ROK defenses and sent tanks into the capital city of Seoul. In addition to the Air Force, Navy, and Marines, a 1,000 man battalion from the 24th Infantry Division, including many specialists and noncommissioned officers, transferred from the 1st Cavalry Division.

On 18 July 1950, the 1st Cavalry Division was ordered to Korea. Initially scheduled to make an amphibious landing at Inchon, it was redirected to the southeastern coast of Korea at Pohang-dong, a port 80 miles north of Pusan. The North Koreans were 25 miles away when elements of the 1st Cavalry Division swept ashore to successfully carry out the first amphibious landing of the Korean War. The 5th Cavalry Regiment Combat Team marched quickly toward Taejon.

By 22 July 1950, all Regiments were deployed in battle positions; in itself a remarkable logistic achievement in the face of Typhoon Helen that pounded the Korean coastline. The baptism of fire came on 23 July 1950. The 8th Cavalry was hit by a heavy artillery and mortar barage, and North Koreans swarmed toward their positions. As the space between the battalions became increasingly threatened, the 1st Battalin, 5th Cavalry moved into the gap to absorb some of the pressure. Elements were also sent to help the 8th Cavalry. The next day, the troopers suffered their first severe combat losses.

Company “F”, 5th Cavalry moved to assist the 1st Battalion of the 5th on its right flank. Company “F” and Company “B”, 5th Cavalry were hit by overwhelming numbers of North Korean Infantry. Only 26 men from the relief units managed to escape and return to friendly territory. The 7th Cavalry Regiment initially held in 8th Army defenses at Pohangdong, was released to the 1st Cavalry Division on 25 July 1950, and began moving up to join the 5th Cavalry Regiment. During the next few days, a defensive line was formed at Hwanggan with the 7th Cavalry moving east and the 5th Cavalry replacing the 25th Infantry Regiment. On 01 August 1950, the First team was ordered to set up defensive position near Kunchon on the rail route from Taegu to Pusan. For more than 50 days between late July and mid September, First Team Troopers and U.N. Soldiers performed the bloody task of holding on the vital Pusan Perimeter.

On 09 August 1950, the North Koreans hurled five full divisions at the Naktong defenders near Taegu. They gained some high ground -but- not for long. The 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry moved against them, hitting their flanks with coordinated artillery and air strikes. In seizing Hill 268, known as “Triangulation Hill,” the Troopers accounted for 400 enemy dead.

With added reinforcements, Pusan became a staging ground and depot for United Nations supplies and soldiers from all around the world. Soldiers of the United Nations forces became First team Troopers, the gallant Greek Battalion (GEF) was attached to the 7th Cavalry Regiment and fought along side of them. The defenders now outnumbered the attackers, and they had the equipment and the firepower to go on the offensive.

On 14 August 1950, in the TAEGU AREA of Korea, amid the fierce fighting, PFC Chester Leroy Craven, Jr. and 5 other Infantrymen took cover in a foxhole. The unit was ordered to withdraw, but PFC Craven failed to hear the order, and stayed in the foxhole after the others had left. They had barely evacuated the hole when an enemy hand grenade was dropped into the foxhole, exploded, and killed the lone occupant, Private First Class Chester Leroy Craven, Jr. Memorial Services for Private First Class Chester Leroy Craven, Jr. were held on Friday, 25 August 1950 at the St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed Church. Private First Class Chester Leroy Craven, Jr. was buried in the East Wildwood Cemetery in Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. He was survived by his Mother, Cora E. (nee Bradley) Craven; his brother, Ernest Leroy Craven; his Sisters, Mrs. Shirley Phillips; Mrs. Jocelyn Holmes; and Mrs. Mildred Trostle; Nieces; Nephews; and other relatives.

Burial: Wildwood Cemetery, Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, USA Created by: Patti Johnson Record added: Jun 25, 2014 Find A Grave Memorial# 131898151