Posted on 09/29/2016 12:54:02 PM PDT by PROCON
Perhaps it was the way he carried himself in an unassuming and humble manner, but day after day hundreds of Air Force Academy cadets would pass this janitor in the hall oblivious to the greatness that was among them.
In the mid-1970s, William Crawford might spend one day sweeping the halls and another cleaning the bathrooms, but it was a day approximately 30 years prior that would create for him a special place in the history of war. In 1943 in Italy, the only thing Private William Crawford was cleaning out was German machine gun nest and bunkers.
Under heavy fire and at great risk to himself, his gallantry was so audacious that it earned him the Medal of Honor and the respect of any man who witnessed his actions. And yet, for the cadets at the Air Force Academy, it would take a student’s study of the Allied campaign in Italy to realize who it was that walked among them. Once the cadets realized the humble janitor was a recipient of the nation’s highest military honor, that would never be able to look at him the same and the secret was out.
(Excerpt) Read more at warhistoryonline.com ...
Said the legend that they never draw their knives without drawing blood is true.
Procon, Thank you for posting this about Sergeant William Crawford, a WW 2 medal of honor recipient who continued, quietly, serving his country.
I guess if I had been there I would have felt slightly ashamed to have known that this humble hero was cleaning my floors and bathroom. Makes me wonder if the cadets showed a little more respect to him by keeping the place as clean as possible to reduce his workload.
No. The "h" in "heroic" is not silent.
As my grandkids would say, AWE-mazing!
The 36th Infantry Division (”Arrowhead”), also known as the “Texas Division”, is and was an infantry division of the United States Army, part of the Texas Army National Guard.
Private Crawford’s MoH action happened in the beginning of the fight up the spine of Italy against the Germans. The reason he was ‘slighted’ in the award of the MoH was because he never got it personally! Shortly after this action, he was ‘lost’ in combat and presumed dead, so his award was given posthumously to his father. He was actually captured by German forces and liberated late in 1944.
After the end of the war, he re-enlisted in the US Army and served another 20 years, retiring as a Master Sergeant (E8). It was after his retirement that he started working at the USAF Academy in Colorado Springs, Co.
Just a little more of “the rest of the story!”
So was mine. He never talked about Italy , very reluctantly about Holland and only if you asked . He turned twenty 10 days after he got home. Perth Regiment of Canada.
WOW!! Love that story, reminds me of the movie Heartbreak Ridge, except this is for real.
For the millennial snowflakes out there that aren’t familiar with the Medal of Honor, think “Order of Lenin” and you’ll understand the significance.
Note in the picture of Sgt. Crawford, the blue ‘service ribbon’ at the top and center. That is the Medal of Honor ribbon. In the military, it is the normal order for lower ranks to salute higher ranks and then for the higher ranks to return the recognition. This is reversed for living MoH awardees in uniform, they are saluted first by all ranks and then return the salute! It is not codified but is the very strong tradition for all service branches.
In memory of your service, Master Sergeant William Crawford, USA (ret), a grateful nation (with idiot exceptions) thanks you!
Daddy was 88th/351st Army Infantry in N. Africa, Italy, &
Germany. Laiatico was the battle that caused him the worst
shell-shock. They were real men who didn’t talk about the
war much. He used to say, “It’s the old man’s WAR; but it’s
the young man’s FIGHT!”
Crazy, I just printed this story out a few hours ago and sent it to my son who is in USAF BMT. I’d never heard of it before today. Now, here it is on freerepublic.
“Not to be picky but it should read “The Air Force Academy” not “A US Air Force Academy” denoting there is more than one.”
Well, I went to the Israeli Air Force Academy. Awarded a BA in addition to my BSE from MIT, so that’s two. (Of course, it’s real name is in Hebrew and it’s part of the Ben Gurion system, so maybe you are correct.)
And I’ve trained many a “USAFA” grad, according to their papers.
And we are stuck with Colin Kaeperneck.
My father-in-law was in the 75th JASCO, USA, on Iwo. Started out getting bombed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Not quite the type of Pacific tour he wanted.
I remember a proud Papa posting a thread about his AF son a while back!
Bump, thanks for the background info, FRiend!
Corporal Archie Miller of Portsmouth, Ohio was finally ordered home when he received his 5th Purple Heart in 1945.
While in battle, under enemy fire, and fighting aggressively unlike John Kerry,
Miller was wounded 2 times by sniper fire, 2 times by mortar fire, and was last wounded by a Japanese hand grenade.
His wife said he was too tough to die.
(08/03/45)
Did your class know about this man?
Great!
WOW, that’s some heartwarming story. I’m so glad he got his recognition and much-deserved honor. RIP Mr. Crawford....;(
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