Heber Asahel "Ace" Crump

Born September 1st, 1896 in Herriman, Utah in the United States to Samuel Heber Crump and Olive Jeanette "Nettie" Butterfield Crump. "Ace" was born prematurely and according to my grandmother (his daughter) he wasn't expected to live. He was bundled up in blankets and put in a basket next to the kitchen stove for warmth.

He did survive, but was always a small child. He had asthma and was often ill.

Wee Ace in his kilt

He was the oldest of six children, two of whom died as infants.

He went to public school through the sixth grade.

Ace worked at the Ohio Coffee Company as a mill operator until he joined the army at the age of twenty on May 7th, 1917 and was sent to Europe to fight in WWI. He was assigned to Battery D of the 13th Field Artillery Regiment (4th Division). As part of that unit he would have sailed for France in May of 1918 to fight against the Germans.

Army service in 1917, most likely training in Texas

According to Globalsecurity.org:

"The unit's most notable achievements were a march from Esnes to Malincourt during the night of 26-27 September 1918. The march was over very difficult terrain and against resistance, including crossing the Vesle River. Heavy losses were sustained and 2 pieces put out of action by direct hits. The night march to Malincourt was commemorated by the dragon crest, that mythical animal typifying the inferno that prevailed that night. The Vesle episode was commemorated by the broken howitzer on the coat of arms. The unit participated in several other campaigns in World War I to include: Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, Champagne 1918, and Lorraine 1918. Following the end of World War I, the unit continued to serve as part of the Army of Occupation in the Rhineland until July 1919."

PFC Crump during WWI service in Europe in 1918

Before leaving for Europe he briefly dated Erma Bodell. When he left, he told her he would not ask her to wait for him, and that he wanted her to be happy even if that meant she built a life with someone else.

Some time after his arrival in Europe he changed his mind. He found a piece of military issue stationary and a pencil, and he wrote her a beautiful love letter expressing his regret at letting her go. He declared his love for her and expressed his desire to marry her when he came home, but also let her know that he wished her well if she chose another, even though he would regret her loss for the rest of his life.

She waited, and she kept that letter for the rest of her very long life.

He was discharged from the army on Aug 11th, 1919. They were married in Salt Lake City LDS Temple in SLC, UT just after his twenty fourth birthday on September 8th, 1920.

Ace and Erma some time in the 1940's

They were married for forty years until his death. I am thrilled to be in possession of that letter.


According to family memory he was sprayed with nerve gas during the war which, combined with the complications from mining dust later in his life, made it difficult to breathe for the remainder of his life after he came home.

Their first child, [still living in 2013], was born on June 16th, 1921.

Their second child, Elva Lovinia, was born on January 7th, 1923 in Herriman, UT.

Their third child, Fern, was born on July 24th, 1924 in Herriman, UT.

Their fourth child, [still living in 2013), was born on March 10th, 1930.

In 1930 they had four children, he was working as a minor, and they owned a home* in Precinct 10 (on the east side of Lark) of SLC which was worth $500. The house had a big front porch , a dining room, living room, kitchen, 1 bedroom and a bath room. They had a radio. They had moved to this house some time about 1925.

Their fifth child, Carol Erma, was born on December 26th, 1931 in Murray, UT.

Their sixth child, Mary Dean, was born on November 19th, 1933.

In 1940 they had six children and lived in the same house, still valued at $500. He still worked in the mines and made $1200 for the year.


Ace died died at home on February 8th, 1961 in Salt Lake City, UT at the age of sixty one from the complications of lung disease which were a result of he early asthma, dust from working in the coal and copper mines, and the nerve gas from the war. He was buried in the Midvale City Cemetery in Midvale, UT.

*Census information states that they owned the house, but my grandmother's memory is that it was owned by the mining company.

Did you know Ace? Do you have any memories, photos or information to add? I would absolutely love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below to add your information. If you have photos to share, please send them to me along with any other information at tomebug (at) gmail (dot) com.