Re: Carl Crump, USN, USS BELLAWOOD Dec 44

The ABMC database gives this info on him:

Carl P. Crump
Parachute Rigger, Second Class, U.S. Navy
6708344 (This is his serial number.)
United States Naval Reserve
Entered the Service from: Oklahoma
Died: December 30, 1944
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery
Manila, Philippines
Awards: Purple Heart

With his name, rank, serial number, etc you should be able to get his service record from the Nat'l Archives. Info on how to do so can be found at this web site:

http://www.archives.gov/facilities/mo/st_louis/military_personnel_records/standard_form_180.htmlhttp://www.archives.gov/facilities/mo/st_louis/military_personnel_records/standard_form_180.html

Also, you can request his Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) from this resource:

US Total Army Personnel Command
Att: TAPC-PAO (FOIA)
200 Stovall Street
Alexandria, VA 2232-0404

Though this says Army, they also hold Navy records for WWII. As well as giving them name, rank, serial number, be sure to cite the Freedom of Information Act in your request.

Although I have never used it, the following is listed online:

Information on sailors who may have died while in the U.S. Navy is recorded on index cards. A description of how the individual was killed is usually included. These may be requested from:
Officer in Charge
Naval Medical and Dental Affairs
Mortuary Affairs Branch
PO Box 886999
Great Lakes, IL 60088-6999
Phone 800-876-1131 Ext. 621, 627, or 628
Fax 847-688-3964

As for why he was first listed MIA, and the time frames, I can only hazard guesses. Battle is extremely chaotic, and record keeping takes a back seat to mission and survival. If could be that in the kamikazee attack he was lost overboard, or his body was obliterated, and witnesses were not established until considerably later, when the paperwork was being completed. Perhaps he was in sick bay before he died, and his paperwork was misplaced in the interim. As I said, these are only guesses. I hope some of the resources listed above will help you answer at least some of your questions.