Frank Elmer McCreary was born at 1211 Chambers, St. Louis, Missouri to Daniel E. McCreary and Ida Campbell on 20 October 1903 according to City of St. Louis birth records. He was baptized as Francis Elmer McCreary on 22 November 1903 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 11th and Clinton, St. Louis, Missouri. His baptismal sponsors were Mary Weiman and Frank Wintz.

In the 1910 census the family was living at 904A Tyler near North Broadway in St. Louis. His father Daniel was widowed and his sons Edward G., age 8 and Frank E., age 6 and Daniel's mother-in-law Rose Campbell age 53 were living together.

In 1920 the census shows Daniel Edward McCreary age 48 living on Blow St. in DeSoto, MO with his third wife Elizabeth age 45 and sons Edward age 18 a Machinist apprentice and Frank, age 16 who was a mail carrier for the US government.

By 1928 he was listed in a San Diego, California city directory as Frank E. McCreary, living at 2017 1st, occupation United States Navy and wife Betty B. McCreary.

It is unclear when and where they married but based on the ages given when they first married in the 1930 census it appears they married about 1924 or 1925. I've not found a record of their marriage.

In 1930 he is listed in the census at Groton, New London County, Connecticut as Frank E. McCreary, age 26, married age 21, serving as Machinist in the US Navy on a submarine.

Service records show:

Frank Elmer McCreary enlisted August 4, 1922 at Little Rock Ark for 4 years as his first enlistment. Place of birth St. Louis, MO born 20 Oct 1902 (sic). Home address 311 West 9th St. North Little Rock, Arkansas. Father Edward D. McCreary, DeSoto, MO. Reenlisted 18 Aug 1926 for 4 more years State of California. Reenlisted 4 more years Aug 23, 1932 at Mare Island, California. Reenlisted 18 Sept 1939 after 16 years. Served on board USS PERCH (SS-176) during war patrols 1941 and 1942. March 3, 1942, survivor this date when the USS PERCH (SS176) was sunk by enemy action in Java Sea. All records lost with the ship. Taken prisoner-of-war by Japanese Naval forces. 4 Jan 1943 died in Japanese POW camp.

Letter dated June 1, 1944 from the Navy Department, Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington DC to Mr. Daniel Edward McCreary, Marble Hill, MO, #3461679, Pers-5353a-als says: On May 11, 1943 the Navy Department informed you that it was in receipt of an official cablegram from the International Red Cross in Tokyo, stating that your son, Frank Elmer McCreary, Machinist's Mate first class, US Navy was being held as prisoner of war in Fukuoka Camp. It is now the duty of this Bureau to inform you that it is in receipt of an International Red Cross Committee Telegram dated 9 July 1943, stating that your son died in Fukuoka Camp as a result of acute pneumonia. From information given in the telegram it has been determined that the date of your son's death was 4 January 1943.

Certificate of Death from Bureau of Medicine & Surgery, Navy Dept, Washington, D.C.shows Frank Elmer McCreary #346 16 79 , rank MM 1c, USN, born Missouri 20 Oct 1902 (sic), religion Catholic, blue eyes, brown hair, ruddy complexion, height 70, weight 175, father Daniel Edward McCreary, Marble Hill, MO. USS PERCH (POW) Jan 4, 1943 admission. Died Fukuoka Prison Camp, Jan 4, 1943 of pneumonia, lobar 812. Disposition of remains unknown.

military:

NARA aad.archives.gov/ access to archival databases

World War II Prisoners of War Data File 12-7-1941-11-19-1946

#3461679

Frank Elmer McCreary

Machinist's mate, first class

United States Nancy, 1942, Missouri

area, southwest Pacific Theatre, Philippine Islands

report date 1944

individual has been reported through sources considered official

executed, or died in ships sinking or result of ship sinking, or shot while attempting escape

Japan

Fukuoka POW Camp #1, Kashii (Pine Tree Camp) Kyushu Island 33-130

POW list:

POW list Research Network Japan, Fukuoka

found website showing Fukuoka No 2 Branch Camp

Americans, McDrnary (sic), Frank, rank P. O. 1/01, date of death 1943/1/4, cause acute pneumonia, nationality USA

I emailed them and they responded March 5, 2005 and said they would correct the spelling of his name and they did.

U.S., Navy Casualties Books, 1776-1941

Name: Daniel Edward McCreary

Gender: Male

Residence Place: Missouri, USA

Child: Frank Elmer McCreary

Volume Title: Combat Naval Casualties, World War II, (AL-MO)

World War II Prisoners of War, 1941-1946

Name: Frank Elmer McCreary

Residence Place: Missouri, USA

Report Date: 1 Mar 1942

Latest Report Date: Jan 1944

Grade: Machinist's mate, first class

Arm or Service: United States Navy

Arm or Service Code: United States Navy

Area Served: Southwest Pacific Theatre: Philippine Islands

Detaining Country: Japan

Camp: Fukuoka POW Camp #1 - Kashii (Pine Tree Camp) Kyushu Island 33-130

Status: Executed, Died in Ship's Sinking or Result of Ship Sinking, Shot While Attempting Escape

Report Source: Individual has been reported through sources considered official.

U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil, 1942-1949

Name: Frank E McCreary

Gender: Male

Rank: MACHINIST'S MATE 1C

Residence Place: Missouri

Death Date: 4 Jan 1943

Cemetery: Manila

Burial Place: Fort William McKinley, Philippines

Next of Kin: Mr. Daniel E McCreary

Next of Kin Relationship: Father

The following is a letter written by the former wife of Frank Elmer McCreary to her father-in-law.

P.O. Box 793 San Francisco, California, Jan 19, 1946

Dear dad, I know you will be surprised to hear from me after all these years. I didn't have your address but found Frank's cousin Sister Callista, who wrote to her to find out where you were. Frank and I were divorced in 1937, and the last time I seen him was in 1938. I remarried again and I lost my husband two years ago on a submarine. I heard that Frank was lost on the Perch at the start of the war. Have you heard anything lately? I am making my home here in San Francisco now and like it fine. Has Frank an aunt that lives here somewhere in San Francisco? I am sorry to hear of Frank's Aunt Cora passing away. Would like very much to hear from you soon.

Sincerely, Betty Mrs. V. R. Drake, P.O. Box 793, San Francisco, California.

Researched and written by Marian McCreary from family documents and Ancestry.com