Navy Federal Credit Union

After graduating from Kirkwood High School, Emmet Crane began preparing for the priesthood. He made his solemn profession in DeSoto, Missouri, on August 2, 1924, and was ordained a Catholic Priest of the Redemptorist Order at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, on June 24, 1929. He served as a pastor, missionary, professor in Minor and Superior Seminary in Carlisle, Kentucky; St. Louis, Missouri; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Detroit, Michigan. During World War II he entered military service and after completing the Chaplain’s School at Harvard in September 1942, he was commissioned a U.S. Army chaplain. In February 1946 he was appointed a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, and then to inactive status in 1950. By the time of his death he had 43 years of profession and 48 years of active service in the priesthood.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Division:

    4th Armored Division

    Action Date:

    July 17, 1944 – May 9, 1945

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Chaplain’s Corps) Emmet Patrick Crane (ASN: 0-406635), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Division Chaplain, 4th Armored Division, from 17 July 1944 to 9 May 1945. Chaplain Crane was a courageous, inspiring, and brave soldier, and an ardent servant of righteousness. He disregarded personal safety and positions so as to provide every possible opportunity for worship. He kept a careful check on the state of morale. He devoted his entire time and initiative to the welfare of the soldiers, for whom no sacrifice was too great, and set a shining example. Chaplain Crane’s services reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    Combat Command “B”

    Division:

    4th Armored Division

    Action Date:

    September 24, 1944 & January 4, 1945

    Headquarters, 4th Armored Division, General Orders No. 41 (1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Chaplain’s Corps) Emmet Patrick Crane (ASN: 0-406635), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Chaplain with Combat Command “B” 4th Armored Division, in France, at Fresnes Sur Salnois, France, on 24 September 1944. In addition to his duties as Division Chaplain, Chaplain Crane visited the Command Post, Aid Station, and Clearing Station of Combat Command “B”, under constant heavy artillery and mortar fire from German positions, and continued his ministrations to the wounded without regard to danger or personal risk. At Assenois, Belgium, on 4 January 1945, Chaplain Crane visited the Aid Station and Clearing Station of Combat Command “B”, the area at the time being under German artillery and mortar fire from positions north and east of Bastogne. Chaplain Crane conducted his ministrations in the area without regard to danger and personal risk. In addition, he was consistently and without regard to the danger and personal risk of life, been in the forward areas under fire upon many occasions. His actions and courage upon all the occasions have been an inspiration to the Chaplains of the Division, and to the officers and men he served, and contacted in those areas. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Crane, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.