October 27, 1913. The Great War was soon to begin in Europe and Leo Peter Craig was born into this world in Everett, Massachusetts. He was five years old when his mother died, leaving his father with five young children to raise. Under these unusual circumstances, his Aunt, Veronica Craig, a member of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield Kentucky, received a dispensation from her vows in order for her to help raise her brother’s children. For 18 years she dedicated herself to this task, becoming a second mother to young Leo. After the children were all raised, she returned to the religious life. Leo attended the LaSalle Academy of the Christian Brothers in Providence, Rhode Island. Going on to Providence College, he obtained his BA in 1935, at which time he entered the Dominican novitiate at Saint Rose’s in Springfield, Kentucky. He completed his philosophy courses at the Dominican House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois, and his theological training at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 21, 1942.
Subsequent to his ordination he taught at the Aquinas High School in Columbus, Ohio and was curate at Saint Andrew’s Parish in Cincinnati.
In 1949 he joined the Army as a chaplain. Assigned to the First Cavalry Division fighting in Korea, he had a stop over in Japan where he was able to have a joyful reunion with his big brother Father Lawrence A. Craig, 18 years his senior, who was a mission priest of the Sacred Heart.
The First Cavalry Division was participating in the counteroffensive that had retaken Seoul on March 15, 1951 and was driving the Communist Chinese and North Korean armies out of South Korea. As they withdrew the Communists left behind unmarked minefields to slow the advance of the UN forces.
Captain Craig was donning his vestments for the afternoon Mass on April 5, 1951 near Chunchon, South Korea. He was preparing to say Mass for the 99th Field Artillery Battalion of the First Cavalry Division. Suddenly he heard a loud explosion. A soldier had stepped on an unmarked enemy land mine. Father Craig did not hesitate, even though he must have been aware that where there was one enemy land mine there were bound to be others. Swiftly removing his vestments he hurried into the minefield to aid the soldier along with some other men. Reaching the man, Chaplain Craig was kneeling and administering the Last Rites when a second mine, booby-trapped with TNT, exploded, killing him and seven others. The picture at the beginning of this post was taken approximately 30 seconds before the second mine went off. Father Craig has the white cross on his helmet.
The mortal remains of Father Craig were laid to rest in All Souls Cemetery in Pleasantville, New York by his brother Dominicans. His gallant immortal soul, I am sure, is enjoying the Beatific Vision.
Thank you, Donald, for this post. There is nothing better than a good and holy priest, a true man of God. I think the Church in America is getting back to forming priests like Father Craig. All the young priests I’ve met recently are real men. I could see them running out into a minefield to save someone, just like Fr. Craig.
Being found taking care of Our Father’s business when Jesus is before us is a great gift.
Father Craig indeed could be found in this text; 44Wherefore be you also ready, because at what hour you know not the Son of man will come.
45Who, thinkest thou, is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath appointed over his family, to give them meat in season. 46Blessed is that servant, whom when his lord shall come he shall find so doing. 47Amen I say to you, he shall place him over all his goods. Matthew 24:43-47 Douay-Rheams version.
Great hero, Fr. Craig.