The Descriptive Finding Guide for the Lawrence C. Crum Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10032
Finding aid prepared by Alan Renga
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
10/16/2014
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego, CA, 92101
(619) 234-8291
Title: Lawrence C. Crum Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10032
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.36 Cubic feet
1 box
Date (inclusive): 1920-2002
Abstract: Lawrence Crum received his U.S. Navy Aviator wings in 1942 and served on the USS Ranger during WWII & Korean War. The collection
contains numerous photographs of the USS Ranger, certificates and personal documents.
Conditions Governing Access note
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
[Item], Lawrence Crum Persona Papers, [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum Library & Archives”]
Lawrence Clair Crum, Jr., was born March 6, 1920, and served as a United States Naval pilot. A significant portion of her
service was spent aboard the USS Ranger (CV-61). Nick named the “Top Gun of the Pacific,” the USS Ranger was one of four Forrestal-class
supercarriers built for the US Navy in the 1950s. The ship was the first US carrier designed from the very beginning as an
angled deck ship and was decommissioned in 1993.
Crum received his US Navy Aviation Pilot’s certificate June 29, 1942, seeing service in World War II and the Korean War. His
collection contains certificates and identification and club cards relevant to the life of a naval pilot and officer as well
as depicting bits of the culture aboard a carrier. For example, an Imperium Neptuni certificate for crossing the equator,
a newspaper article explaining a hazing ritual for “shellbacks” traditionally carried out during that crossing, and cards
to military societies and clubs in the United States, China, and Japan. There are also photographs of the inside and outside
of the USS Ranger.
Crum died on September 24, 2002, at 82 years of age.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
The materials in this Collection were donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
The Lawrence Clair Crum Collection contains certificates, identification cards, artifacts, and photographs relating to Lawrence
Crum and his service aboard the USS Ranger (CV-61). The collection contains materials ranging from the 1940s and 50s.
Related Archival Materials note
Related Research Institutions: UC Berkeley: Bancroft Library contains some photos of the USS Ranger. The USS Ranger foundation:
http://ussranger.org/
The images from this Collection have been digitized and uploaded to Flickr.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Crum, Larence C., 1920-2001
Ranger (Aircraft carrier : CV-4).
Ranger (Aircraft Carrier : CV-61).
Korean War 1950-1953
Box 01
Folder 01 – Certificates, Awards, and Appreciation
Physical Description:
1. Lieutenant appointment certificate, August 7, 1947.
2. 50th Anniversary of Korean War, Letter of Appreciation, Republic of Korea, and envelopes.
3. Imperium Neptuni, Certificate for rounding Cape Horn, July 23, 1958.
4. Certificate of Commission aboard USS Ranger (CVA-61).
5. Imperium Neptuni, crossing the equator, July 6, 1958.
6. Naval Aviation Pilot Certificate June 29, 1942.
7. Promotion to Lieutenant Commander US Navy July 1, 1955.
Folder 02 – Identification and Cards
Physical Description:
8. UNN Naval Aviation Pilot Certificate, leather wallet, pilot #442-42, AP2c, Pilot Per Heavier-than-Air, June 22, 1942.
9. Materials inside wallet, pilot #442-42:
a. American National Red Cross, Life Saving Service, South Fork, PA, August 1935.
b. Single Engine Qualification card, May 12, 1942.
c. Petty Officers of the Navy Social and Athletic Club, August 6, 1942.
d. (2) USN ID card, thumb print on back, AMZc, void after January 8, 1943.
e. USN ID card, APIc, void after January 8, 1947.
f. USN ID card, Lt. USN, Indefinite.
g. Completion of Link Trainer School, TTSA, US Naval Air Station, Banana River, FL, Instrumental training, no date.
h. Radio Control Room, USS Ranger (CV-61).
i. Weather Room, USS Ranger (CV-61).
10. USN Naval Aviation certificate, leather wallet, Ensign, January 26, 1944, No 16797, August 1943.
11. Materials inside wallet, No. 16797
a. Kiangwan E M Club card, Army Navy.
b. US Naval Air Station, San Diego Privilege card, Lt. USN, August 23, 1951.
c. “Restricted Instrument Rating,” Engsign, VR201, December 1943.
d. Special instrument, Norfolk, VA, LCDR, May 3, 1963.
e. US Navy Commissioned Officers mess, Shanghai, China, (Lt.) #138.
f. US Navy Commissioned Officers mess, Shanghai, China, (Lt.) #113.
g. Silent Mysteries of the Far East, crossed 180th Meridian, August 27, 1952, USS Salisbury Sound, AV-13, (Lt.).
h. Imperium Neptuni, July 6, 1958.
i. Realm of the South Wind, July 23, 1958.
j. Plank Owner, August 10, 1957.
k. Royal Order of the Guppy, February 7, 1951.
l. Carap Osaka Officers Mess, April 2, 1951.
m. 1st Marine Air Wing Officers Club, 1951, Itami Honshu, Japan.
Folder 03 – Images & Photos
Physical Description:
12. Color Print of Martin PBM Mariner.
13. “OS” Division USS Ranger (CV-61) September 17, 1957.
14. USS Ranger, group awarding a large broom.
15. USS Ranger, large group awarding a large broom.
16. Lt. Commander Crum (2).
17. USS Ranger Captain (unknown).
18. USS Ranger Tower, front.
19. USS Ranger Tower, close up.
20. USS Ranger, front view.
21. USS Ranger, front view.
22. USS Ranger, side view.
23. 1 folded print, 2 images.
a. “OR” Division USS Ranger CVA-61, September 17, 1957.
b. One large and 3 wallet-sized photos of USS Ranger, J. Hanson Publishing Co.
Folder 04 - Miscellaneous
Physical Description:
1. Envelope addressed to LC Crum, in Shanghai.
2. Newpaper article, NAVY Times, August 23, 1958, “Being Initiated As Shellback Is Hell in Oversized Trunks.”
3. Season Greetings from President and Madame Chiang, Korea
4. 4 pins
a. US Navy Honorable discharge pin.
b. Fifth Naval District, 1962 pin.
c. US Navy Retired pin.
d. Award Ribbon pin.