[PROCON]

In 1984 when Pres. Ronald Reagan came to speak at that year’s graduation ceremony; they had arranged for their gallant janitor to finally stand face-to-face with the President of the United States and receive his due commendation. William Crawford died at the age of 81 in the year 2000 at his home in Colorado. And although Crawford was a veteran of the Army, he would become the only non-U.S. Air Force enlisted person buried at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs.

A great story; a remarkable man and a heroic soldier.

[PilotDave]

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.

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

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.

[Sasparilla]

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)

[The Truth Will Make You Free]

Apparently there's about 3,400 recipients, with about 70 currently alive

[Dawgreg]

WOW, that’s some heartwarming story. I’m so glad he got his recognition and much-deserved honor. RIP Mr. Crawford....;(

[Osage Orange]

Great story!

Thanks!!

[exit82]

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=39979

President Reagan’s address to the USAFA Class of 1984 on 5/30/84, including the presentation to Mr.Crawford.

Reagan made the presentation at the end of his formal remarks.

[sten]

there are certain things that use to be understood:

1. if you don’t protect and enforce your borders, you don’t have a country.

2. if you don’t enforce your laws, you won’t have a nation.

3. if you don’t honor and respect those that fought for their country and nation...

then your country will have no honor and deserves no respect.

[Uncle Sam 911]

What a magnificent story. I believe he likely stood for our national anthem every chance he got.

[octex]

Great thread. Thanks for posting it.

Saved to check for ancestral linkage.

[Michael.SF.]

Thanks for posting.

I reads this on the ride home and it brought tears to my eyes.

I was about to post this, but then I thought I would do something rarely done: use the search feature.

[Jet Jaguar]

Ping

[Salvation]

What a great story. Thanks for posting it.

[publius911]

When Cadets At A US Airforce Academy Realized Their Janitor Was Medal Of Honor War Hero

What's up with that headline?

How many Air Force Academies do we have?

[Albion Wilde]

bump

[Mark17]

In 1984 when Pres. Ronald Reagan came to speak at that year’s graduation ceremony; they had arranged for their gallant janitor to finally stand face-to-face with the President of the United States and receive his due commendation.

One of those 1984 USAF Academy graduates 🎓 used to work for me, as an air traffic controller, when he was an E-3, before getting an appointment to the USAF Academy. I saw him again when he was a 1st Lt, at Travis AFB.
He said it was a thrill to meet Ronald Reagan, but never told me this story. I wish he had.

[JDoutrider]

Bookmark

[Paisan]

...it would take a student’s study of the Allied campaign...

There still are some kids out there who take US History seriously. I was such a lad, and I am happy to see that my son is as well.

[Albion Wilde]

What a beautiful story!! Thank you for posting it.

[Revolutionary]

I learned about that while at the academy. Actually, a lot of the humble employees there are military heros. They were great role models for the cadets. Class acts.