“Time will not dim the glory of their deeds.”  (General John J. Pershing)

Not everyone whose name appears on a stone in a cemetery is buried there. Sometimes a cenotaph marks the loss of a life with earthly remains buried elsewhere or missing entirely. Such is the case with Ensign Philip Sylvester Criblet whose memorial stone is in Section 19 of the Dunmore Cemetery. 

Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1914, Philip Sylvester Criblet was the son of Swiss-born Paul Criblet and Scranton native, Louise Sylvester. Criblet’s early years were spent in Scranton. Evidence suggests that Philip was raised mainly by his mother as his father spent considerable amounts of time traveling to other countries and living in California. 

After leaving Scranton, the Criblets resided in Maryland. Philip continued his education there, graduating from Towson High School in 1930. He then attended Johns Hopkins University. 

While at Johns Hopkins, Criblet appeared in theatrical performances and was president of the university’s theatrical group, “The Barnstormers.” Criblet also excelled in the mechanical engineering department of that school, penning prize-winning papers for competition in the National Engineering Society. He graduated in 1935 with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. 

Three years later Criblet married Louise Kraft of New Jersey. Following their marriage, the couple moved to Evanston, Illinois where Criblet worked for Worthington Pump and Machinery. In 1940, the couple welcomed the birth of their only child, Elaine. Also, on October 16, 1940, Criblet registered for military service.

During World War II, Criblet served with the United States Naval Reserve and was stationed on the USS Current. The Current was a rescue/diver ship designed to aid distressed vessels. In October 1944, the USS Canberra was hit by an enemy aerial torpedo off the coast of the Republic of Formosa (Taiwan) and incurred significant loss of life and damage. The USS Current was dispatched to the aid of Canberra. During a repair  dive, on October 20,  Ensign Criblet’s air hose was cut off from its air supply and he drowned. 

The following day, Ensign Criblet was honored by his fellow crew members, the flags of the Canberra and Current were lowered to half mast, and Criblet was buried at sea. In addition to being memorialized in the Dunmore Cemetery, Criblet is also “Commemorated in Perpetuity” at the Manila American Cemetery on the Tablets of the Missing. 

Many years ago, this author had an opportunity to speak with Criblet’s daughter, Elaine. At that time, she was asked what she remembered about her father. Although being a young child, she said she remembered him as being a talented musician. Research indicates that Louise Sylvester Criblet was a gifted musician who taught, performed, and lectured about music on a national level. Certainly, she passed her love of music and the arts to her son. Louise Criblet is also buried in the Sylvester family plot in the Dunmore Cemetery.