At GoVets, we are honored to shine a spotlight on Central Coast Veteran, Lt. JG Aileen Crews, a U.S. Navy Nurse who served during World War II. Her remarkable story is a testament to courage, resilience, and the enduring spirit of service that defines our nation’s heroes.
In 1941, Aileen Crews graduated from high school in San Pedro, California. With limited opportunities at home but a steadfast dream to become a nurse, she applied to the French Hospital Nursing School in San Francisco and was accepted.
Her younger brother, Jean, recalls with pride: “She was the smart one in the family who won all the academic awards. To be a nurse was always her dream and the war intensified her ambition.”
After graduation, Aileen’s dream became reality. She earned her commission as Lt. JG Crews and joined the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps, ready to serve her country and care for its wounded.
Stationed at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, California, Lt. JG Crews provided care to sailors wounded in the Pacific theater. The hospital treated over 172,000 patients during the war, and Aileen played a vital role in restoring both health and hope.
Among her patients was Petty Officer 2nd Class Russell Merriman. As Aileen nursed him back to health, their bond grew into love. After V-J Day (August 14, 1945), she remained in the Navy for two more months before receiving her honorable discharge. For her dedication, she was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.
In September 1945, Aileen married Russell, and the couple settled in Florence, South Carolina, where they began raising their family. Tragedy struck just two years later when Russell was killed in a plane accident. Pregnant with their second child, Aileen returned home to California, where she began a new chapter as a young widow with two children to raise.
In time, Aileen remarried, grew her family to five children, and continued her calling in nursing. Her Navy training served her well both at home and in her career. Even after retiring, she volunteered with the Red Cross, continuing to serve others.
This July 2023, Aileen will celebrate her 100th birthday in San Luis Obispo, surrounded by family and friends. Her legacy is not only her own service, but also the dedication to country carried on by her family across four generations:
Her father, Willman Crews – Navy, World War I
Her brother, Randolph – Army, World War II
Her brother, Jean – Merchant Marines in WWII, later drafted into the Army for combat in the Korean War
Her sons, Russ and Steve – Both served in combat during the Vietnam War
Her grandson – Currently serving and preparing for deployment overseas
As Lt. JG Aileen Crews turns 100, we pause to honor not only her service, but also her perseverance, compassion, and the family legacy she helped inspire. She represents the very best of our nation’s history—selfless service, resilience through hardship, and pride in a family tradition of patriotism.
At GoVets, we are proud to share her story and celebrate her milestone. Her journey is a reminder that behind every medal, every deployment, and every sacrifice is a life dedicated to freedom.
Happy 100th Birthday, Lt. JG Crews. We salute you.
After retiring from the Air Force in 1982, Bob and his family moved to Sacramento, California. There, he worked on the FB-111A Avionics Modernization Program at McClellan AFB, taught computer courses at American River College, and later served as business manager for his wife Margaret’s environmental company.
When he officially retired from work in 1998, Bob devoted his time to the things he loved most: jogging, cycling, sailing his boat Misty in the San Francisco Bay, and living life with energy and passion.
On July 31, 2025, just hours before his 86th birthday, Bob Felts passed away peacefully at his home in Colorado. He will be laid to rest with honor at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
His story is one of courage, leadership, and devotion—to his country, his family, and his passions. Bob Felts leaves behind not just a legacy of service, but also an example of how to live fully and purposefully.
Thank you for your service