Crum was stationed at his gun post with a Barberton, Ohio man on July 13, 1943 when a Japanese torpedo hit USS Gwin (DD-433). This was during the Battle of Kolombangara. The Barberton sailor left his post a few minutes before the torpedo struck. Crum was blown to bits like many other men. His identification tags blew off, but Crum's friend was able to identify him because of his facial features.