Page 38 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2024 - Online Magazine

worLD war ii
Found His
Phil Crenshaw
Calling

hen American Sniper Chris Kyle’s
widow, Taya Kyle, recently came to
WLubbock WW II Army Veteran Phil
Crenshaw gave the invocation. At the Benghazi
Survivor Presentation in 2016, he also opened
with prayer. For occasions like these he proudly
dons his woolen dress green WW II uniform and
humbly walks to the microphone. His gentle but
powerful voice thanks God for freedom, for the
people present, and for God’s will to be done
on earth as it is in heaven. When asked how he
can still fit into his uniform after so many years,
his face lights up as he names the five basic food
groups: chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, butter pecan and peanut brittle ice cream.
The Pentagon designated Crenshaw as the sole surviving Chaplain’s assistant of WW II and the Chief of Chaplain’s office
honored him while on the 2013 Honor Flight with three of his sons. He continues to serve on the Texas South Plains Honor
Flight Committee.
After serving his country, doing radio broadcasting for 20 years and operating an employment agency for 40 years, he has
gainful employment with Westex Document at Reese Technology Center. Crenshaw writes in his spare time. He has three
books in progress. My Desk is a Pulpit; The Island’s Last Call (about his military service in Okinawa and Korea), and the third
relates to helping young people transition into maturity. He and his family have hosted countless students in their home,
earning the title of “The Crenshaw Hotel.”
“I love children and am concerned that we have gotten away from where we began in education. Textbooks no longer
tell the full story of American History. Students are taught there are no absolutes and they must be politically correct. My
favorite patriotic song is America the Beautiful because it represents basically my philosophy of life and my love for my
country.” He calls Southcrest Baptist Church his church home.
“I have made 12 trips with Josh McDowell to Russia. The orphans’ tears moved my heart. Seeing men for the first time,
they cried. We gave them teddy bears and lots of hugs.
“Born in Kansas City in 1922, I grew up in Joplin, Missouri during the Depression. My dad made $2.50 a week as a printer
and mom taught school. At four years of age, I saw a black, grand piano for the first time at a revival. It mesmerized me.
I went home and told my parents and brother, Loye, that I wanted to learn to play the piano. My parents bartered and
sacrificed for me to study music for eight years. I have played in both Protestant and Catholic services and at Grand Central
Station.”
“Most of my military acquaintances from basic training were sent to the South Pacific and most were buried there. I was
separated from them and sent to the East Coast to study Morse code. I never got a chance to use it. God had other plans for
me.
“In a muddy field chapel tent in Okinawa, the Chaplain learned of my music background and quickly had me transferred
to the role of his assistant. Not satisfied to just minister to the Army, Chaplain Wunnaburger held services for other
branches, school teachers and children. When
the Chaplain learned about the Japanese Prisoner
of War camp another chapter in my life opened,
This article (from 2016) is the third of ten lasting 4 months.
articles we are reprinting to celebrate Senior Japanese prisoners were taught to kill and then
Link's decade of honoring area veterans. commit hari-kari (suicide) for their Emperor. Our
troops blasted them out of their caves with flame
throwers, while many jumped to their death off

38 Lubbock Senior Link