Bruce M. Crawford

Bruce M. Crawford, 96, of Market Street, Benton, died Sunday evening, November 30th, 2014 at the Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital Emergency Room. Born February 5, 1918 in Millertown, Mt. Pleasant Township, he was a son of the late Harry W. and Della Mazie (Mellick) Crawford. He was preceded in death by his wife, Celia J. (Yustat) Crawford, on March 16, 2003 after 59 years of marriage. Mr. Crawford attended a one-room school in Mordansville through the 5th grade and then went to Benton Schools. He graduated from Benton High School in 1935. He enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Corps on February 4, 1942 and became a Lieutenant, then went on to retire from the U. S. Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel. As a bombardier, he and some fellow comrades did a "fly-over" over the Borough of Benton on August 26, 1943 when he dropped a letter from the aircraft in his parents Benton yard with pinpoint accuracy. The Associated Press picked up the story with the byline: "Bombardier Bruce Crawford scored a direct hit while flying over this Central Pennsylvania town in an Army bomber. He dropped a weighted letter into the backyard of his home". He completed over 20 combat missions and had been awarded numerous citations for meritorious service including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal and 3 clusters. Mr. Crawford was a US Mail Carrier for the Benton Post Office for 25 years, retiring in 1986. In his younger years he had worked for the Berwick AC&F, drove truck and worked at the former Neil S. Harrison, in Forks for 5 years. He was a member of the Benton United Presbyterian Church; a charter/life member of the Fort Ricketts Post 8317 V.F. W., the Bloomsburg American Legion; the Benton Masonic Lodge and later the Oriental Lodge, No. 460, F. & A. M. of Orangeville; the Bloomsburg Elks Lodge and a former member of the Bloomsburg Moose Lodge. Surviving, are his two daughters: Joyce E. Gordon and her husband, Robert, of Danville and Winter Haven, Florida; Linda S. Franklin and her husband, Carl, of Orangeville; three grandchildren: Monica Mika and George, of Benton; Ryan Crawford Blace and his wife, Cris, of California; A. Michelle Anderson and her husband, Michael, of Carlisle; five step grandchildren; Michael and Andrew Gordon and their spouses and children; Adam, Jessica and Kevin Franklin; three great grandchildren: Collin J. Machamer, Maia Blace Anderson, and Vera Rose Anderson. Along with his wife, Celia, he was preceded in death by 3 sisters: Arlene Slama; Blanche Rickard, and Mary Moore as well as a great granddaughter, Mileva Grace Anderson. Funeral Services will be held Friday at 11 A.M. at the McMichael Funeral Home, Inc.,4394 Red Rock Road, Benton, Rt. 487, with the Rev. O. Allen Lumpkin, his pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Benton Cemetery with full military honors accorded by a combined Veterans group. A Viewing will be held Friday from 10 until the time of the Service at 11 at McMichael's. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Benton United Presbyterian Church, Benton, PA 17814 or to the Benton V. F. W., P. O. Box 463, Benton, PA 17814.

Bruce M. Crawford

February 5, 1918 - November 30, 2014