John Crockett Ravin

John Crockett Ravin, TM1c, USN, normally called Jack by all who knew him well was born in Oswego, OR on July 3, 1923. The family moved to Sacramento, CA in the year 1926. It was there he attended school.

John’s favorite hobby was model airplane building, a hobby won for him many awards in local and state contests. At the age of ten, he was an instructor at the YMCA “Boy’s Model Plane Club” in Sacramento, CA under the direction of Mr. Weldermer Doyle, Superintendent of Aeronautics. As Jack grew up, he had his own shop. He held classes and sold model planes and materials for model airplanes. Many times, after working most of the night on his projects, I had found him fast asleep in the early morning hours.

In 1936, we moved to Portland, OR where Jack completed his education at Benson Polytecnic School. Here he had a model plane shop in our home. He also worked with model trains. Jack held a Civilian Pilot License in the states of Oregon, California, and New York.

In Portland he was a member of the Washington Chapter of DeMolays, a Boy Scout, a member of the Episcopal Church and an Altar Boy.

Jack enlisted in the US Navy at Portland, OR in the year 1938 and completed his basic training at the US Naval Training Center, San Diego, CA. After the National Emergency and prior to WW II, Jack was stationed on board the Light Cruiser USS Trenton. The USS Trenton was at that time stationed in Europe. Aboard this vessel he received a citation for his services. While on the Trenton Jack completed Preparatory School for Annapolis.

After leaving the Trenton, he served on board the Aircraft Carrier USS Yorktown. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Jack was assigned to the commissioning detail of the United States Destroyer Aaron Ward DD 483. His ship was placed in commission in March 1942. Eight months later, on November 13, 1942 during the decisive battle of WW II, the Battle of Guadalcanal, Jack gave up his life for his country. His buddies from the Aaron Ward buried him on Talagui Atoll in the Solomon Islands. After the successful conclusion of WW II, his remains were returned home and interred together with his brother, “Scott” in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery on March 13, 1948.

Jack was married on January 2, 1942 to Priscilla Louise Brown at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Newport, RI where, at one time, George Washington attended divine services. There were no children by their marriage.

John Crockett Ravin, TM1c USN, was awarded posthumously the Presidential Unit Citation, the Purple Heart, Asiatic Pacific Campaign, the American Theater, the American Defense, and the World War II Victory Medals, and the Good Conduct Medal.

This boy we Honor.

Author Unknown Possibly His Mother