Carl M. Kramp

SHELTON, Wash. -- Carl Matthew Kramp, 83, Shelton, Wash., died June 19, 2004, at Fir Lane Health and Rehabilitation.

He was born Sept. 14, 1920, in Pequot Lakes to Charles and Grace (Willie) Kramp. In 1939, Mr. Kramp joined the Minnesota National Guard's 34th Armored Company and served as a tank driver. The unit was federalized in February 1941 as Company A of the 194th Tank Battalion and shipped to Fort Lewis, Wash., for training. He was a staff sergeant and received a Bronze Medal. In September 1941, prior to his 21st birthday, the Company became the first National Guard unit to be sent overseas. Carl's 21st birthday was spent aboard a troop ship with no place to celebrate. The unit arrived in Manila, Philippines, September 1941, and was stationed at Clark Field. Carl witnessed the bombing of Clark Field on Dec. 8, (Dec. 7, US time). He later was involved in the retreat to the Bataan Peninsula where he was taken prisoner by the Japanese forces in April 1942. In September 1945, he was released from his captivity and returned to his home in Brainerd. He married Harriet Brown on Feb. 20, 1946, in Lake Hubert. He and Harriet moved to Everett, Wash. They later moved to north Seattle where they raised their two children, Karyn and Dale. Carl worked for the United States Post Office until his retirement in 1977. After his retirement, Carl and his wife moved to Mason Lake. There the two traveled extensively until his wife's illness. Carl was a member of the Christmas Town Chapter of Ex-POW's, lifetime member of Company A 194th Tank Battalion in Minnesota, past member of VFW in Shelton, American Legion, Nisswa, Minn., and member of the Mason Benson Club. Carl enjoyed listening to the Mariner baseball games, traveling the United States and Canada, reading, football, visiting friends and watching the boat traffic on Mason Lake.

Survivors include a son, Dale E. Kramp, Grapeview, Wash.; a daughter, Karyn Brown, Plevna, Mont.; a sister, Margie Rood, Everett, Wash.; five grandchildren, Billie Brown, Hays, Kan., Bobbie Brown, Baker, Mont., Bryce Brown, Baker, Mont., Bret Brown, Albuquerque, N.M., and Jeremy Kramp, Lynnwood, Wash.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceded in death by parents, Charles and Grace Kramp, two brothers, Ervin and Leroy, and wife Harriet Kramp in 1997.

Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, June 24, at Hope Chapel. Inurnment will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 29, at Tahoma National Cemetery.

Memorial donations to Alzheimer's Association, Western and Central State Chapter, 1422 N.W. 85th St., Seattle, WA 98117-4236.

Arrangements are with McComb Funeral Home, Shelton, Wash.