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A Janitor’s Ten Lessons in Leadership
By Col. James Moschgat, ^ | By Col. James Moschgat,

Posted on 01/01/2006 4:47:54 AM PST by bad company

William “Bill” Crawford certainly was an unimpressive figure, one you could easily overlook during a hectic day at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Mr. Crawford, as most of us referred to him back in the late 1970s, was our squadron janitor.

While we cadets busied ourselves preparing for academic exams, athletic events, Saturday morning parades and room inspections, or never-ending leadership classes, Bill quietly moved about the squadron mopping and buffing floors, emptying trash cans, cleaning toilets, or just tidying up the mess 100 college-age kids can leave in a dormitory.

Sadly, and for many years, few of us gave him much notice, rendering little more than a passing nod or throwing a curt, “G’morning!” in his direction as we hurried off to our daily duties.

Why? Perhaps it was because of the way he did his job-he always kept the squadron area spotlessly clean, even the toilets and showers gleamed. Frankly, he did his job so well, none of us had to notice or get involved. After all, cleaning toilets was his job, not ours.

Maybe it was his physical appearance that made him disappear into the background. Bill didn’t move very quickly and, in fact, you could say he even shuffled a bit, as if he suffered from some sort of injury. His gray hair and wrinkled face made him appear ancient to a group of young cadets. And his crooked smile, well, it looked a little funny. Face it, Bill was an old man working in a young person’s world. What did he have to offer us on a personal level?

Finally, maybe it was Mr. Crawford’s personality that rendered him almost invisible to the young people around him. Bill was shy, almost painfully so. He seldom spoke to a cadet unless they addressed him first, and that didn’t happen very often. Our janitor always buried himself in his work, moving about with stooped shoulders, a quiet gait, and an averted gaze. If he noticed the hustle and bustle of cadet life around him, it was hard to tell.

So, for whatever reason, Bill blended into the woodwork and became just another fixture around the squadron. The Academy, one of our nation’s premier leadership laboratories, kept us busy from dawn till dusk. And Mr. Crawford...well, he was just a janitor.

That changed one fall Saturday afternoon in 1976. I was reading a book about World War II and the tough Allied ground campaign in Italy, when I stumbled across an incredible story. On Sept. 13, 1943, a Private William Crawford from Colorado, assigned to the 36th Infantry Division, had been involved in some bloody fighting on Hill 424 near Altavilla, Italy.

The words on the page leapt out at me: “in the face of intense and overwhelming hostile fire ... with no regard for personal safety ... on his own initiative, Private Crawford single-handedly attacked fortified enemy positions.” It continued, “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, the President of the United States ...”

“Holy cow,” I said to my roommate, “you’re not going to believe this, but I think our janitor is a Medal of Honor winner.” We all knew Mr. Crawford was a WWII Army vet, but that didn’t keep my friend from looking at me as if I was some sort of alien being. Nonetheless, we couldn’t wait to ask Bill about the story on Monday.

We met Mr. Crawford bright and early Monday and showed him the page in question from the book, anticipation and doubt on our faces. He starred at it for a few silent moments and then quietly uttered something like, “Yep, that’s me.” Mouths agape, my roommate and I looked at one another, then at the book, and quickly back at our janitor. Almost at once we both stuttered, “Why didn’t you ever tell us about it?” He slowly replied after some thought, “That was one day in my life and it happened a long time ago.” I guess we were all at a loss for words after that. We had to hurry off to class and Bill, well, he had chores to attend to.

However, after that brief exchange, things were never again the same around our squadron. Word spread like wildfire among the cadets that we had a hero in our midst-Mr. Crawford, our janitor, had won the Medal! Cadets who had once passed by Bill with hardly a glance, now greeted him with a smile and a respectful, “Good morning, Mr. Crawford.”

Those who had before left a mess for the “janitor” to clean up started taking it upon themselves to put things in order. Most cadets routinely stopped to talk to Bill throughout the day and we even began inviting him to our formal squadron functions. He’d show up dressed in a conservative dark suit and quietly talk to those who approached him, the only sign of his heroics being a simple blue, star-spangled lapel pin. Almost overnight, Bill went from being a simple fixture in our squadron to one of our teammates.

Mr. Crawford changed too, but you had to look closely to notice the difference. After that fall day in 1976, he seemed to move with more purpose, his shoulders didn’t seem to be as stooped, he met our greetings with a direct gaze and a stronger “good morning” in return, and he flashed his crooked smile more often.

The squadron gleamed as always, but everyone now seemed to notice it more. Bill even got to know most of us by our first names, something that didn’t happen often at the Academy. While no one ever formally acknowledged the change, I think we became Bill’s cadets and his squadron.

As often happens in life, events sweep us away from those in our past. The last time I saw Bill was on graduation day in June 1977. As I walked out of the squadron for the last time, he shook my hand and simply said, “Good luck, young man.”

With that, I embarked on a career that has been truly lucky and blessed. Mr. Crawford continued to work at the Academy and eventually retired in his native Colorado where he resides today, one of four Medal of Honor winners living in a small town.

A wise person once said, “It’s not life that’s important, but those you meet along the way that make the difference.” Bill was one who made a difference for me. While I haven’t seen Mr. Crawford in over twenty years, he’d probably be surprised to know I think of him often. Bill Crawford, our janitor, taught me many valuable, unforgettable leadership lessons. Here are ten I’d like to share with you.

Be Cautious of Labels. Labels you place on people may define your relationship to them and bound their potential. Sadly, and for a long time, we labeled Bill as just a janitor, but he was so much more. Therefore, be cautious of a leader who callously says, “Hey, he’s just an Airman.” Likewise, don’t tolerate the O-1, who says, “I can’t do that, I’m just a lieutenant.”

Everyone Deserves Respect. Because we hung the “janitor” label on Mr. Crawford, we often wrongly treated him with less respect than others around us. He deserved much more, and not just because he was a Medal of Honor winner. Bill deserved respect because he was a janitor, walked among us, and was a part of our team.

Courtesy Makes a Difference. Be courteous to all around you, regardless of rank or position. Military customs, as well as common courtesies, help bond a team. When our daily words to Mr. Crawford turned from perfunctory “hellos” to heartfelt greetings, his demeanor and personality outwardly changed. It made a difference for all of us.

Take Time to Know Your People. Life in the military is hectic, but that’s no excuse for not knowing the people you work for and with. For years a hero walked among us at the Academy and we never knew it. Who are the heroes that walk in your midst?

Anyone Can Be a Hero. Mr. Crawford certainly didn’t fit anyone’s standard definition of a hero. Moreover, he was just a private on the day he won his Medal. Don’t sell your people short, for any one of them may be the hero who rises to the occasion when duty calls. On the other hand, it’s easy to turn to your proven performers when the chips are down, but don’t ignore the rest of the team. Today’s rookie could and should be tomorrow’s superstar.

Leaders Should Be Humble. Most modern day heroes and some leaders are anything but humble, especially if you calibrate your “hero meter” on today’s athletic fields. End zone celebrations and self-aggrandizement are what we’ve come to expect from sports greats. Not Mr. Crawford-he was too busy working to celebrate his past heroics. Leaders would be well-served to do the same.

Life Won’t Always Hand You What You Think You Deserve. We in the military work hard and, dang it, we deserve recognition, right? However, sometimes you just have to persevere, even when accolades don’t come your way. Perhaps you weren’t nominated for junior officer or airman of the quarter as you thought you should-don’t let that stop you. Don’t pursue glory; pursue excellence. Private Bill Crawford didn’t pursue glory; he did his duty and then swept floors for a living.

No Job is Beneath a Leader. If Bill Crawford, a Medal of Honor winner, could clean latrines and smile, is there a job beneath your dignity? Think about it.

Pursue Excellence. No matter what task life hands you, do it well. Dr. Martin Luther King said, “If life makes you a street sweeper, be the best street sweeper you can be.” Mr. Crawford modeled that philosophy and helped make our dormitory area a home.

Life is a Leadership Laboratory. All too often we look to some school or PME class to teach us about leadership when, in fact, life is a leadership laboratory. Those you meet everyday will teach you enduring lessons if you just take time to stop, look and listen. I spent four years at the Air Force Academy, took dozens of classes, read hundreds of books, and met thousands of great people. I gleaned leadership skills from all of them, but one of the people I remember most is Mr. Bill Crawford and the lessons he unknowingly taught. Don’t miss your opportunity to learn.

Bill Crawford was a janitor. However, he was also a teacher, friend, role model and one great American hero. Thanks, Mr. Crawford, for some valuable leadership lessons.


TOPICS: Unclassified
KEYWORDS: leadership; moh; usaf; usafa; veteran; williamcrawford
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1 posted on 01/01/2006 4:47:55 AM PST by bad company
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To: bad company
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

William Crawford

2 posted on 01/01/2006 4:48:30 AM PST by bad company (A foolproof plan fails to take in to account the Ingenuity of fools.)
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To: bad company

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.


3 posted on 01/01/2006 4:51:12 AM PST by Drew68
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To: bad company
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.

4 posted on 01/01/2006 4:58:02 AM PST by cynicom
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To: StarCMC

I think we need this story PING.


5 posted on 01/01/2006 4:58:23 AM PST by Old Sarge (In a Hole in the Ground, there Lived a Fobbit...)
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To: bad company

great article


6 posted on 01/01/2006 4:58:46 AM PST by tioga (Happy New Year!)
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To: bad company

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


7 posted on 01/01/2006 4:59:52 AM PST by libertylover (Bush spied. Terrorists died. Democrats cried.)
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To: bad company

bump


8 posted on 01/01/2006 5:01:14 AM PST by VOA
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To: libertylover

me too


9 posted on 01/01/2006 5:06:10 AM PST by larryjohnson (USAF(Ret))
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To: bad company

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


10 posted on 01/01/2006 5:06:45 AM PST by JOE43270 (JOE43270, God Bless America and All Who Have and Will Defend Her.)
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To: bad company

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


11 posted on 01/01/2006 5:08:53 AM PST by GeronL (http://flogerloon.blogspot.com)
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To: libertylover; larryjohnson
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*

12 posted on 01/01/2006 5:10:48 AM PST by GeronL (http://flogerloon.blogspot.com)
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To: bad company

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


13 posted on 01/01/2006 5:23:06 AM PST by wolfpat (Dum vivimus, vivamus.)
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To: GeronL
*ducks*

(chortle)

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

(chortle)

14 posted on 01/01/2006 5:29:30 AM PST by manwiththehands (My wish for the new year: I wish Republicans were running the country.)
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Comment #15 Removed by Moderator

To: bad company; All

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.


16 posted on 01/01/2006 5:36:09 AM PST by barker
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To: bad company
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.

17 posted on 01/01/2006 5:48:14 AM PST by Toadman
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To: barker

Ping . .


18 posted on 01/01/2006 5:50:24 AM PST by Twinkie (Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.)
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To: bad company

Bump - very valuable.


19 posted on 01/01/2006 5:52:46 AM PST by AD from SpringBay (We have the government we allow and deserve.)
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To: SAMWolf

True story.


20 posted on 01/01/2006 6:02:27 AM PST by Iris7 (Dare to be pigheaded! Stubborn! "Tolerance" is not a virtue!)
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