Tom Crain

Earl Thomas Crain (1907-1989)

TOM CRAIN IS TRANSFERRED TO NEW EMBASSY

To US Embassy In Paris—Had Been In Havana, Cuba In Similar Capacity

Taken from the March 4 issue of the Havana Post, (year unknown) Havana, Cuba, is an article written by Edward Scottwho writes a column titled, "Interesting if True," that pertains to Tom Crain, nephew of William, Harry and Miss Mary Crain of Augusta. Crain has been transferred from the U. S. Embassy in Havana to Paris, France. The article follows:

About two years ago, l was standing with a group at the Rovers Club on the occasion of the golf a tournament between the American and British Clubs, and someone I mentioned the name of Tom Crain,: "Yes, he's a fine boy, indeed," said Dayton Hedges. "I've known him since he was knee high to an iguana”or words to that effect. At the time I wondered how Dayton, who hasbeen in Cuba for so many years, could possibly –have known Tom Crain. Then I found out that Tom also has been in Cuba for many years having spent his boyhood on this Island.

Tom's father, the late, Ralph W.Crain was a Spanish American War veteran, member of Havana Camp No. One and a former post command who is well remembered in Cuba. Just yesterday I asked someone about Tom’s Dad, and the immediate answer was "Sure, I knew him.' A finer American never walked down the Pradoor up it or across it."

These notes are inspired by the fact that Tom Crain, First Secretary of the U. S. Embassy here in Havana, leaves today for the U. S. Embassy in Paris. Tom was born in Illinois in 1907 and graduated from the University of, Ilinois in 1927. His first post after entering the U.S. Foreign, Service in 1928, was Havana. Since then he has served in Costa Rica (1932), Nicaragua (19323334), and Teheran (193537).

When he first Arrived in Teheran, Tom was astonished to receive an engraved invitation to a formal dinner from one of the most prominently social ladies of the country. Then, to his amazement, the hostess seated him at her right, giving the young American precedence over all others—so that he could do his courting.

The mission was successfully accomplished because they were married in Switzerland and then moved to Algiers where Tom was in charge of the U. S. Consulate General. He was transferred to Madrid the.on. the the day that the U. S. recognized Franco, his first job being to extricate U. S. citizens from Franco's jails. On the fall of France in June 1940, he helped evacuate U. S. Nationals.

Tom Crain set up the first press section of the U. S. Embassy in Spain and then was transferred to Mexico. He was assigned to Santiago, Chile in1946 and remained there until 1949 when he was transferred to Havana. Here he has been chief of the political section and served as Acting Counselor until the arrival here of Carlos Hall, Deputy Chief of Mission.

On Tuesday morning, U. S. Embassy Ambassador Arthur Gardner on behalf of staff, presented Mr. and Mrs. Crain with a beautiful centerpiece bowl as a gift. It is a magnificent piece of handicraft, made in Old Havana.

The Crains' prizewinning dogs will go along with them to Europe--Carlos, a boxer they brought in Chile; Tessie, a cocker and Lucky, a longhaired dachshund. Tom loves these canines, but says they're really not outstanding--just nice dogs. Incidentally, the U.S. Governent does not take official cognizance of dogs and the cost of their transportation is for the account of the fancier, in this case, Tom Crain.

Dorothy Crain Hawes and her cousin, Tom Crain

in Oracle, Arizona

Who's Who in America

Vol. 33 1964-1965

CRAIN, Earl Thomas foreign service officer; born Quincy, Illinois, October 25, 1907; son of Ralph Waldo and Thelma (Caddick) Crain; A.B. University of Illinois, 1927; m. Agnes Elisabeth Hildebrand, Sept. 20, 1938; 1 dau. Virginia Elizabeth. Entered U.S. Fgn. Service, 1928; served as vice consul, Habana, Cuba, 1928-1932, Mantazas, Cuba, 1932-1932, Port Limon, Costa Rica, 1932-1933, 3d sec at Managua, Nicaragua, 1933-1935, Tehran, Iran 1935-1937, Algiers, Algeria, 1937-1939, 2d. sec. at Madrid, Spain, 1939-1943, consul at Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, 1943-1946,2d sec. and consul, Santiago, Chile, 1946-49; 1st sec of Embassy and consul, Habana, Cuba, 1949-1954, 1st secretary and consul, Paris 1954-1956, foreign service inspector with Department of State, Washington, 1956-1960; Am. consul general Milan, Italy, 1960--. Home: 1123 N. Frederick St., Arlington 5, Va. Office: Am, Consulate Gen., 32 Piazza delia Repubblica, Milan, Italy.