John married Bettie Marie Sharp in January, 1942 but was drafted seven months later. On 23 October 1942, Pvt Crafard [frequently misspelled as "Craford" or Crawford"] was transferred from the Reception Center, Fort Lewis, WA to Company C, Camp Blanding, FL.

On 5 December 1942, Pvt Crafard was transferred to Company G.  Following completion of jump school at Fort Benning, GA, he placed on special duty and then detached service to attend the demolitions school at Benning.

Pvt Crafard was next sent to Camp Mackall as a member of a cadre team.  He rejoined regiment which was on the Tennessee Maneuvers at Lebanon, TN on 20 September 1943.

Pvt Crafard was promoted directly from Pvt to Cpl on 21 July 1944 after the regiment returned from the Normandy Campaign.

On 25 September 1944 Cpl Crafard was wounded in action in Holland.  

He returned to duty of November 1st  and was immediately transferred to Service Company for future recuperation.  It was not until 9 December that Cpl Crafard returned to duty with Company G.

He was hospitalized nearly 4 weeks in the December 1944. - January 1945 timeframe.  Classed as a "non-battle" injury, he mAy have suffered frostbite.

ON 19 August 1945, Sgt Crafard was transferred to the 513th PIR, perhaps to facilitate his return to the U.S.  He was honorably discharged five weeks later on 25 September.

His military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Combat infantryman badge and Bronze Service Arrowhead Device.

Jack and wife Bettie had three children: Novella May, Ferol Josephine and John David, III.

Related item of interest:

  On 17 Jan 1953, Jack's older brother, George W. Crafard also died tragically when he was caught in an avalanche near Salyer, CA.

George served as a tail gunner in the Pacific Theater in the Army Air Corps during WWII.