Retired Army Maj. Crawford Guinn "Crawf" Coyner, 82, a decorated veteran of two wars, died of cancer Jan. 27 [1999] at his home in Annapolis after a brief illness.

Maj. Coyner was born in Ogalalla, Neb. He received his master's degree from Western Maryland College, where he was on the faculty. He also taught cultural geography at Bowie High School for 20 years.

He served with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division in World War II and the 2nd Infantry in Korea and was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star medals and the Purple Heart. He retired from the military in 1961.

He was a member of the Naval Academy Chapel, serving as an usher and as chairman of the Protestant Chapel Finance Committee.

He was a well known and accomplished duck carver. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Nancy Werntz Coyner; a son, William G. Coyner of Annapolis; a daughter, Nancy Coyner Farmer of Alexandria, Va.; three sisters, Eve Sennett of Ogalalla and Kate Coyner and Daisy Coyner; and one grandchild.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. tomorrow at Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester St. Funeral services will be held at Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester St. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Naval Academy Chapel with burial to follow in Cedar Bluff Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Naval Academy Alumni Association for Chapel Support, the Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD 21402.

[The Capital, Annapolis, MD, Thursday, January 298, 1999, Page 6]

[courtesy of Frederick Morse]

Grave marker for Crawford G. Coyner in Saint Anne's Cedar Bluff Cemetery, Annapolis (Anne Arundel), Maryland

Crawford enlisted in the army at Baltimore, MD on 28 April 1943 and was later selected to attend OCS.

On 14 August 1944, 2/Lt Coyner was transferred from the 11th Replacement Depot to Company I, 508th PIR.

He apparently had been assigned to another parachute unit before that transfer as he was awarded the Bronze Service Arrowhead device for the Holland campaign and Airborne operations.

Based on his obituary, he served in Korea and