A Janitor’s Ten Lessons in Leadership

By Col. James Moschgat, ^ | By Col. James Moschgat,

[bad company]

William Crawford

[Drew68]

My Skipper sent this same email out to our entire squadron a few months ago. It is a good read and deserves to be circulated.

[cynicom]

There are many ring knockers here on FR that could well benefit from reading the Colonels words.

Also unknowingly the Colonel has discovered the "difference" between a citizen soldier and a professional one.

[Old Sarge]

I think we need this story PING.

[tioga]

great article

[libertylover]

Good story but I was surprised to find that the cadets don't clean their own space, that they even have a janitor.

[VOA]

bump

[larryjohnson]

me too

[JOE43270]

God Bless William Crawford and what he has done for all of us and the leadership he has given those Airmen cadets.

[GeronL]

“Good morning, Mr. Crawford.” , and thank you

[GeronL]

I was surprised to find that the cadets don't clean their own space,

I'm not a veteran (too many reasons to list) but it sounds like the Air Force.

*ducks*

[wolfpat]

http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/citations_living/ii_a_crawford.html

[manwiththehands]

*ducks*

(chortle)

I was in the Air Force ... and yes, it sounds like the Air Force.

(chortle)

[barker]

More to the story from http://www.pueblomohfoundation.com/

Search for his name on the site.

William Crawford
WWII
1943
At a young age Bill Crawford learned to defend himself by boxing. As a soldier during World War II his fighting skills were put to the ultimate test. Crawford's path to the Medal of Honor began in 1943 in Italy. As the company scout, Army Private Crawford discovered three hidden German machine gun nests. Alone and unable to alert his fellow soldiers of the awaiting ambush - Crawford took matters into his own hands. He single handedly engaged the enemy - with only his rifle and grenades he destroyed all three enemy emplacements. As his company advanced, he volunteered to stay behind to aid a wounded friend only to be captured by enemy troops.

As a POW, Crawford endured nineteen months in a Nazi prison camp. His hometown golden gloves experience came to the surface when he was put to the test and knocked out a Nazi guard during a fight. Back home his family had presumed Crawford was killed in action and his Medal of Honor was presented to his father posthumously. In 1945 his family rejoiced in his liberation from Germany and he returned to Colorado living a very humble life. After his Army retirement Crawford took a job as a custodian at the Air Force Academy and took on a special role befriending and mentoring the young cadets. One former cadet, now an Air Force Colonel has written "The Janitor’s Ten Lessons In Leadership” now a mandatory reading for the entire Air Force. It wasn't until over forty years after his heroic action that Crawford was presented the Medal of Honor in person. He was officially presented the medal by President Ronald Reagan at the 1985 Air Force Academy graduation ceremony.

[Toadman]

Thank you for this post. What a great inspiration for starting the New Year!

I'll definitely save and share this article.

Thanks again and have a happy and successfull 2006.

[Twinkie]

Ping . .

[AD from SpringBay]

Bump - very valuable.

[Iris7]

True story.