Leslie Massey
Private Floyd Wilkinson Bud Craver, born on August 25, 1921, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, was an American soldier who served in World War II. In July 1945, while stationed in Austria, a drunken Private Craver shot and killed two German officers, a British major, and his sergeant. He was eventually caught trying to rape an Austrian woman, court-martialed, and sentenced to life in prison. However, for unknown reasons, he was released shortly thereafter. Private Craver died in 1987 in an accident while riding a moped and lived a controversial life, leaving behind a son and several daughters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Floyd Wilkinson "Bud" Craver |
| Date of Birth | 25 August 1921 |
| Place of Birth | Cabarrus County, North Carolina, United States |
| Date of Death | 6 July 1987 |
| Place of Death | Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States |
| Age at Death | 65 |
| Cause of Death | Struck by a truck while riding a moped |
| Occupation | American soldier and paint contractor |
| Military Service | Private with I Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division |
| Trial | Sentenced to life imprisonment in September 1945 |
| Release | Released shortly after sentencing for unknown reasons |
| Family | Son, Steve Craver; Daughters, Vickie Honeycutt, Tanya Furr, Kema Furr, and Robin Craver |
| Charges | Four charges, including two specifications of violating the 92nd Articles of War for the killings of Captain Altacher and Major Watkin |
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What You'll Learn
Floyd W. Carver was sentenced to life in prison
Private Floyd W. Carver was sentenced to life in prison following a trial in September 1945. He was found guilty by a Board of Review majority of Judge Advocate General's Corps on 6 May 1946 and sentenced to life imprisonment at the United States Penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Carver was tried on four charges, including two specifications of violating the 92nd Articles of War for the killings of Captain Altacher and Major Watkin.
Carver, a drunken replacement from "I" Company, had shot and killed two Germans, a British major, and the major's driver. Sergeant Grant was also shot in the head when he confronted the man and attempted to disarm him. Grant survived because of the quick actions of Captain Ronald Speirs and Jack Foley, who rushed him to an aid station. Speirs, who had refrained from killing Carver, beat him before turning him over to the provost marshal.
Despite his crimes and sentence, Carver was released shortly after his conviction for unknown reasons. Some speculate that it was due to procedural issues that were not discovered until after his scheduled discharge date. After his release, Carver returned to the United States, where he racked up a long list of arrests and convictions for DUI. He died on 6 July 1987 in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, at the age of 65 when he was struck by a truck while riding a moped.
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He was released shortly after
After his release, Private Floyd Wilkinson "Bud" Craver returned to the United States, where he racked up a long list of arrests and convictions for driving under the influence (DUI). He was born in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, on 25 August 1921, and briefly worked in the manufacture of textiles before his enlistment at Fort Bragg on 17 July 1942.
Private Craver married and had a son, Stephen Wilkinson Craver, and several daughters, including Vickie Honeycutt, Tanya Furr, Kema Furr, and Robin Craver. Stephen Craver was found guilty of indecencies with a child and sexually assaulting a female.
Private Craver died in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, on 6 July 1987, at the age of 65, when he was struck by a truck while riding a moped. He was survived by his son and daughters.
It is unclear why Private Craver was released shortly after his sentencing. One speculation is that his release was due to procedural issues that did not show up until after his scheduled discharge date. With the military downsizing and inductions prohibited until the mid-1940s, if Private Craver had already been discharged, the Department of War may have been unable to reinduct him for a retrial.
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He was tried on four charges
Private Floyd Wilkinson "Bud" Craver, born on 25 August 1921 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, was an American soldier who served in World War II.
On 27 May 1945, in Salzburg, Austria, Private Craver, while drunk, shot and killed two Germans, a British major, and a sergeant. He also shot Staff Sergeant Charles Grant in the head when Grant confronted and attempted to disarm him. Grant survived due to the swift actions of Captain Ronald Speirs and Jack Foley, who rushed him to an aid station.
Private Craver was tried on four charges, including two specifications of violating the 92nd Articles of War for the killings of Captain Altacher and Major Watkin. He was found guilty by a Board of Review majority of Judge Advocate General's Corps and sentenced to life imprisonment and a dishonorable discharge. However, he was released shortly thereafter, and the reasons for his release remain unknown.
Private Craver returned to the United States, where he racked up a long list of arrests and convictions for DUI. He died on 6 July 1987 in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, at the age of 65 when he was struck by a truck while riding a moped. He was survived by his son, Steve Craver, and daughters, Vickie Honeycutt, Tanya Furr, Kema Furr, and Robin Craver.
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![Carver [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51+81UnJr0L._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Carver died in 1987
Private Floyd Wilkinson "Bud" Craver, born on August 25, 1921, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, died on July 6, 1987, at the age of 65. He was struck by a truck while riding a moped in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, USA.
Craver was an American soldier who served in World War II as a Private with I Company 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, in the 101st Airborne Division. On May 27, 1945, in Salzburg, Austria, while heavily intoxicated, Craver shot and killed two Germans, a British major, and a sergeant. He also shot Staff Sergeant Charles E. Grant in the head when Grant confronted and attempted to disarm him. Grant survived due to the swift actions of Captain Ronald Speirs and Jack Foley, who rushed him to an aid station.
Following the shootings, Craver went on the run but was eventually apprehended while attempting to rape an Austrian woman. He was brought in for questioning and severely beaten before being turned over to the provost marshal. Craver was tried and found guilty by a Board of Review of the Judge Advocate General's Corps on four charges, including two specifications of violating the 92nd Articles of War for the killings of Captain Altacher and Major Watkin. He was initially sentenced to life imprisonment and dishonorably discharged. However, for unknown reasons, he was released shortly thereafter.
After his release, Craver returned to the United States, where he racked up numerous arrests and convictions for DUI and other offenses. He married and had a son, Stephen Wilkinson Craver, and multiple daughters, including Vickie Honeycutt, Tanya Furr, Kema Furr, and Robin Craver. Despite his criminal record, Craver managed to live a relatively long life before his untimely death in 1987.
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![Carver [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71nPq136CAL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
He was survived by his children
Private Floyd Wilkinson "Bud" Craver was survived by his son, Steve Craver, and daughters, Vickie Honeycutt, Tanya Furr, Kema Furr, and Robin Craver. Steve Wilkinson Craver, born to Floyd Craver and an unnamed wife, was charged with indecent liberties with a child and pleaded guilty to assault on a female. He died in 2014.
Floyd Craver's life and actions during World War II have been widely discussed and criticized on online forums, with many expressing disdain for his release from prison and subsequent ability to live a normal life. Some have questioned the honor of his service and labeled him as a "criminal" and a "homicidal maniac."
It is worth noting that Craver's actions during World War II have also been attributed to factors such as marijuana use and speculation that the drug may have been laced with opium. However, others have argued that these factors do not justify his murderous actions.
The contrast between Craver's post-war life and that of the soldiers he killed, such as Sgt. Grant, has been a point of contention for many. Craver's early release from his life sentence has been attributed to possible procedural issues and the changing rules at the end of the war.
Despite the controversy surrounding his actions, Craver did live to see his children and grandchildren, a fact that has been noted as a source of frustration by some commentators.
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Frequently asked questions
While drunk, Private Floyd Carver shot and killed two Germans, a British major, and a sergeant. He also shot Staff Sergeant Charles E. Grant in the head, who survived.
Private Floyd Carver was tried and sentenced to life in prison. However, he was released shortly thereafter for unknown reasons.
Private Floyd Carver lived a "normal life" after his release. He got married, had a son, and had several grandchildren. He worked in automotive sales and had a long list of arrests and convictions for DUI.
Private Floyd Carver died on July 6, 1987, at the age of 65 when he was struck by a truck while riding a moped in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, USA.
