Aviation Ordnanceman, Third Class, Carl Edward "Ed" Creamer (1921 – 2012) was a Petty Officer in the United States Navy. Ed was born in Portis, Kansas on January 26, 1921. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1940 to 1960. On June 3, 1942 while attached to VP-41, Dutch Harbor, AK, Ed was part of a crew flying in a PBY-5A that was shot down over the Bering Sea. His aircraft was intercepted by A6M2 Zeros from Junyō 1st chutai led by Lt. Yoshio Shiga and claimed as shot down by pilots Kobota and Hasegaw. 3 crewmembers survived the crash, and were picked up by the heavy cruiser Takao (1930). He was photographed on the deck of the Takao by an unknown Japanese cameraman. All 3 of the PBY crew survived the war.
He was a life-member of the American Ex-Prisoners of War Association, and a frequent guest speaker at POW-MIA Recognition ceremonies at local military bases. In 2011, Ed was one of the first inductees into the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Hall of Honor for his actions prior to and after his capture. This year, he will be inducted into the Association of Aviation Ordnancemen Hall of Fame.
Throughout his life, Ed was an avid sportsman, golfer and bowler. He never met a stranger, just friends he hadn't yet met.
