DeVaughn Blaine Crist

DeVaughn Blaine Crist, 99, of Baltimore, OH, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2019. He was born October 18, 1919 at his family farm in Millersport, Ohio.
DeVaughn was preceded in death by his parents Leonard Warren Crist and Pheoba Elanora (Fleak) Crist, sisters Hildred (Crist) Seymour, Clarice (Crist) Stump, Glorene (Crist) Rauber, Thelma (Crist) Sipes, Shela (Crist) Koker, and Wanda Crist, and brothers Leonard Crist and Eugene Crist, two infant daughters, Sharon and DeAnn.

DeVaughn served in World War II as a Coxswain of a Landing Craft Mechanized boat in the Pacific Theater. He was assigned to Company B, 533d Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, 3rd Engineer Special Brigade. He went to Celestial Navigation School in California while stationed in Ft. Ord, CA.  On November 24, 1943, his Regiment sailed from San Francisco Bay on the Army transport, West Point. Three weeks later, they arrived in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. He saw action in Bismark Archipelago; New Guinea, South Philippines liberation, and Luzon.
His decorations and citations include: American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with 4 Bronze Stars; Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars; Good Conduct Medal;
Bronze Arrowhead; and Victory Medal World War II. He also received a letter of Commendation from the Commanding Officer of the Headquarters 24 th Infantry Division for several reconnaissance missions to land the Advance Party successfully prior to the invasion to distant points which demanded expert navigation through dangerous jungle rivers. He was proud of his service and the service of his two grandsons who entered the United States Air Force in 2018.

DeVaughn is survived by his wife of 63 years Nancy (Torrence), his daughter, Nancy Elizabeth “Beth” Pettitt (Mark) of Powell, OH, two beloved grandsons, A1C Ross S. Pettitt and A1C Michael B. Pettitt, and sister, Minnie May (Crist) Grile of Lancaster; and several nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, June Torrence; brothers in law, Lyle Speaks and Colin (Bev) Weaver.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at Johnson-Smith Funeral Home, 207 S. Main Street, Baltimore, OH 43105, with funeral services on Thursday, March 21, 2019 beginning at 10:30 A.M. at the funeral home, officiated by Rev. Jill Dunlap.  The Baltimore Veteran Detail will have a commitial service at Maple Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations be made in DeVaughn’s name to Pets for Vets P.O.Box 10860 Wilmington, NC 28404 or www.pets-for-vets.com  Online condolences can be made at www.funeralhome.com.