Stories by Others About the Sixth Division, the Marines, and World War II
Craig Salvatore (Nephew of Pvt. Melford McDermott) Finds Closure
by Carroll McGowan
Craig Salvatore never met his uncle. On June 9, 1945, Pvt. Melford McDermott died on Okinawa at the age of 19 while serving with the Sixth Marine Division.
Craig’s mother was Melford’s sister. His father was Melford’s best friend. They and Melford’s older brother Alton (a Sgt. Major in the Army and a veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam) kept Melford’s memory alive by telling stories of his life. All Melford ever wanted was to be a Marine, and he was so proud to wear the uniform. The stories about Melford were very personal to Craig, especially because he looked just like him as a child.
When he got older, Craig began researching Melford and the battle of Okinawa. He would visit his grave and send flowers multiple times a year. When Craig had a son of his own, he shared the stories of Melford he had heard as a child.
Shortly before he died, Alton gave Craig Melford’s shotgun, which he had purchased as a teenager. On Memorial Day 2021, Craig pulled out Melford’s shotgun, and he and his then 25-year old son shared stories of Melford.
Later that night, Craig received a link in a text message from his son, followed by a phone call telling Craig to open the link right away.
Craig Salvatore and Harry & Barbara McKnight
The link took Craig to a story on our website written by Harry McKnight about how he had lost some of his best friends on Okinawa -- “The 29th Marines Take a Beating but Prevail.” One of those friends was Melford McDermott who had been beside Harry when he was fatally shot. Until that moment, Craig did not know how his uncle died.
With more research, Craig discovered Harry was still alive. He found his email address and wrote to him. Harry’s wife Barbara responded and told him about the upcoming Sixth Marine Division reunion in Fredericksburg, VA in September. They continued to correspond, and in July, Craig called Harry on his 95th birthday. He told him he was coming to the reunion.
Craig finally met Harry in Fredericksburg at the Memorial Service. He told Harry the first thing he wanted to do was hug him. Harry smiled, opened his arms, and they embraced. Then they shared stories about Melford.
Craig had an interesting story of his own to share. Back in 2001, he worked on the 96th floor of Two World Trade Center. On September 11, 2001, just minutes before he was to enter the building, he saw a plane fly over his head and crash into the tower. He was late for work that day because his son had resisted going to kindergarten, and he missed his train. Craig was spared, but he lost 98 friends and co-workers that day.
Craig had a wonderful time at the reunion. He enjoyed meeting Harry, Barbara, and the other Marines and sharing stories with them. Sometime in the near future, he and his life-partner Pam plan to visit the McKnights in Columbus.
Craig says finding Harry was a blessing from God, and it brought closure to the pain he and his family felt for so many years. It was an honor and a comfort to learn Harry cared so much for his uncle.
Craig’s mother was Melford’s sister. His father was Melford’s best friend. They and Melford’s older brother Alton (a Sgt. Major in the Army and a veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam) kept Melford’s memory alive by telling stories of his life. All Melford ever wanted was to be a Marine, and he was so proud to wear the uniform. The stories about Melford were very personal to Craig, especially because he looked just like him as a child.
When he got older, Craig began researching Melford and the battle of Okinawa. He would visit his grave and send flowers multiple times a year. When Craig had a son of his own, he shared the stories of Melford he had heard as a child.
Shortly before he died, Alton gave Craig Melford’s shotgun, which he had purchased as a teenager. On Memorial Day 2021, Craig pulled out Melford’s shotgun, and he and his then 25-year old son shared stories of Melford.
Later that night, Craig received a link in a text message from his son, followed by a phone call telling Craig to open the link right away.
Craig Salvatore and Harry & Barbara McKnight
The link took Craig to a story on our website written by Harry McKnight about how he had lost some of his best friends on Okinawa -- “The 29th Marines Take a Beating but Prevail.” One of those friends was Melford McDermott who had been beside Harry when he was fatally shot. Until that moment, Craig did not know how his uncle died.
With more research, Craig discovered Harry was still alive. He found his email address and wrote to him. Harry’s wife Barbara responded and told him about the upcoming Sixth Marine Division reunion in Fredericksburg, VA in September. They continued to correspond, and in July, Craig called Harry on his 95th birthday. He told him he was coming to the reunion.
Craig finally met Harry in Fredericksburg at the Memorial Service. He told Harry the first thing he wanted to do was hug him. Harry smiled, opened his arms, and they embraced. Then they shared stories about Melford.
Craig had an interesting story of his own to share. Back in 2001, he worked on the 96th floor of Two World Trade Center. On September 11, 2001, just minutes before he was to enter the building, he saw a plane fly over his head and crash into the tower. He was late for work that day because his son had resisted going to kindergarten, and he missed his train. Craig was spared, but he lost 98 friends and co-workers that day.
Craig had a wonderful time at the reunion. He enjoyed meeting Harry, Barbara, and the other Marines and sharing stories with them. Sometime in the near future, he and his life-partner Pam plan to visit the McKnights in Columbus.
Craig says finding Harry was a blessing from God, and it brought closure to the pain he and his family felt for so many years. It was an honor and a comfort to learn Harry cared so much for his uncle.
Craig’s memorial to his Uncle Alton (left) & Uncle Melford (right)