Huber L. Drumwright, Jr.

WORLD WAR II
Lt.( j.g.) Huber L. Drumwright, Jr.
U.S.S.L.C.I. (L) 967 and 969
United States Navy

A "child" of First Baptist Church-Dallas, Huber Drumwright, Jr. (an outstanding debater and graduate of North Dallas High School) was a freshman at Baylor University when he joined the U.S. Navy's V-12 Program in 1942. (He was 18 years old.)

After several months of studying at T.C.U. with other sailor boys from Texas, they were sent to Midshipman's School at Plattsburg, N.Y. and Commissioned Ensigns in the U.S. Navy. He was sent to the South Pacific to serve on a Landing Craft Infantry (a small, unarmed ship that would run up on the beaches, dispatch the troops, and then run back out to sea to load more troops). He was the supply and communication officer.

It grieved him to see these young men alive one minute in the hole of his ship, and then, glancing back, to see half of them mowed down by the enemy. He then began to stand on the steps into the hole, read scripture, and have prayer with them before the doors opened. He also held services every Sunday for those who chose to attend. After many major engagements, the atom bomb was dropped, and the war was over. For almost another year, he was ordered to ferry Chinese people from Formosa and Shanghai up the Yangtze for re-location. Finally, their small ship limped back across the entire Pacific Ocean to San Diego in June, 1946. He had been gone from home for four years, and was just 22 years old.

Dr. Drumwright, B.A. - Baylor University, TH.M (Master of Theology) Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, TH.D. (Doctor of Theology) from S.W.B.T.S., graduate work at Princeton University and American University of Classical Studies in Athens, Greece, served as Professor and Dean of the School of Theology at S.W.B.T.S. and Pastor of several Baptist Churches. He felt that one of his greatest privileges was to preach in First Baptist Church-Dallas for Dr. Criswell every Labor Day Sunday. First Baptist was always his Church. He authored several books including the Greek grammar used in several Theological schools.

Dr. Criswell held his memorial service in November, 1981 in Truett Auditorium, at the Seminary. Dr. Truett was his first mentor.

Submitted by Rubye Drumwright Pulley (sister)