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platoon for the company. After reaching the crest of the hill, the platoon was pinned down by intense enemy machine-gun and small-arms fire. Locating 1 of these guns, which was dug in on a terrace on his immediate front, Pvt. Crawford, without orders and on his own initiative, moved over the hill under enemy fire to a point within a few yards of the gun emplacement and single-handedly destroyed the machine-gun and killed 3 of the crew with a hand grenade, thus enabling his platoon to continue its advance. When the platoon, after reaching the crest, was once more delayed by enemy fire, Pvt. Crawford again, in the face of intense fire, advanced directly to the front midway between 2 hostile machine-gun nests located on a higher terrace and emplaced in a small ravine. Moving first to the left, with a hand grenade he destroyed 1 gun emplacement and killed the crew; he then worked his way, under continuous fire, to the other and with 1 grenade and the use of his rifle, killed 1 enemy and forced the remainder to flee. Seizing the enemy machine gun, he fired on the withdrawing
Germans and facilitated his company's advance.
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Crawford had been captured by German soldiers and held as a prisoner of war for nineteen months until the war ended. In that book was a picture of a man who resembled his squadron janitor. Moschgat shared this with the other cadets and confirmed the story with
Crawford who replied similar to "Yep, that's me." When asked why he did not talk about it, Crawford said, "That was one day in my life and it happened a long time ago." The word spread with new formed respect for Crawford.
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graduating class. Many past graduates, generals and VIPs attended this graduation. President Ronald Reagan arrived and presented the Medal of Honor to
Crawford and formally recognized Crawford's action. In his remarks, President Reagan cited a few leadership lessons they learned from their janitor. Later these lessons were formalized by a former cadet, now COL (Ret.) James E. Moschgat:
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Mr. Crawford certainly didn't fit anyone's standard definition of a hero. Moreover, he was 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
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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."
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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
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In time, Crawford told his story and things he had learned in life to each academy class. His example also taught them many lessons. These sometimes subtle lessons became of great importance to many of the cadets. Here was a man presumed dead, whose father had received the Medal of Honor for his son
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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,
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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
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Cadet James
Moschgat "was reading a book about World War II and the tough Allied ground campaign in Italy," when he read an incredible story of a private William Crawford who was presumed killed in action and whose father received the Medal of Honor for his son. Unknown to the Army and his family,
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After retiring from the military, Crawford procured a job working as a janitor at the U.S. Air Force
Academy. He was not openly eulogized by any of the cadets and staff because he was humble and liked to keep anonymous. "Mr. Crawford" was described as "an unimpressive figure, one you could easily
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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
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For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near
Altavilla, Italy, 13 September 1943. When Company I attacked an enemy-held position on Hill 424, the 3rd Platoon, in which Pvt. Crawford was a squad scout, attacked as base
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After
Crawford rejoined the military and throughout his career he reluctantly wore his medal. For over 40 years, Crawford never had a single ceremony or recognition regarding his Medal of Honor award. The cadets at the USAF Academy decided to change this. In 1984, Crawford was a guest of the
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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
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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
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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.
197:. The Medal of Honor award was believed to be posthumous, although he was a prisoner of war at the time. He was also a career U.S. Army enlisted soldier, reaching the rank of master sergeant. After retirement from the military, he became a
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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
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overlook during a hectic day at the U.S. Air Force Academy." Crawford being shy and unassuming did his work well and "blended into the woodwork and became just another fixture around the squadron."
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While working at the Air Force Academy, he mentioned to friends that he had never received the Medal from the president. In 1984, during that year's graduation ceremony, President
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and presumed dead. So in 1944 the Medal of Honor was presented posthumously to his father. Later in the year, Crawford was among a group of soldiers rescued from German captivity.
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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.
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311:. A bronze statue of Crawford resides at Hero Plaza at the Pueblo Convention Center with the other three Pueblo Medal of Honor statues.
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Colonel James E. Moschgat, Commander of the 12th Operations Group, 12th Flying Training Wing, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas (2001).
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Bill Crawford, our janitor, taught me many valuable, unforgettable leadership lessons. Here are ten I'd like to share with you.
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when the chips are down, but don't ignore the rest of the team. Today's rookie could and should be tomorrow's superstar.
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On January 13, 1946, he married Eileen Bruce. He re-enlisted in the Army in 1947, retired in 1967 with the rank of
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from an Army general, then who returned with honor and continued to serve his country and later served them.
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Crawford died at age 81 on March 15, 2000, in his residence at Palmer Lake. Upon his death Governor
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Warmbrunn, Susan (September 22, 2000). "Honoring heroes/ Medal of Honor group feted in Pueblo".
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Private Bill Crawford didn't pursue glory; he did his duty and then swept floors for a living.
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authorized all Colorado flags to be lowered to half staff in his honor. He is buried at the
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He is one of four Medal of Honor recipients from Pueblo, Colorado, the others being
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Mr. Crawford modeled that philosophy and helped make our dormitory area a home.
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in Colorado Springs. He is the only US Army enlisted person buried there.
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979:"Crawford House marks 5 years of helping struggling veterans".
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WHARTON LEADERSHIP DIGEST – December, 2001, Volume 6, Number 3
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767:"Pueblo Medal of Honor Memorial at Pueblo Convention Center"
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Home of Heroes – William J. Crawford – includes older image.
248:, destroyed machine gun nests which were holding back his
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in southern Italy. On that day, he was acting as a squad
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Life Won't Always Hand You What You Think You Deserve.
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heroics. Leaders would be well-served to do the same.
861:. Wharton University of Pennsylvania. Archived from
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337:Crawford's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
652:List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II
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691:"Medal of Honor recipients – World War II (A–F)"
274:and as director of the Lucretia Vaile Museum in
817:Colonel James E. Moschgat, USAF (Ret.) (2010).
385:says, "I can't do that, I'm just a lieutenant."
255:After the battle, Crawford was captured by the
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608:European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
1086:World War II prisoners of war held by Germany
1071:World War II recipients of the Medal of Honor
910:United States Army Center of Military History
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699:United States Army Center of Military History
35:William J. Crawford, Medal of Honor recipient
1056:United States Army personnel of World War II
1046:United States Army Medal of Honor recipients
883:: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
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16:United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
887:) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
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1081:American prisoners of war in World War II
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765:Pueblo Medal of Honor Foundation (2004).
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742:"State Fair salutes soldiers and airmen"
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294:United States Air Force Academy Cemetery
855:"LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP: From a Janitor"
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285:formally presented him with the Medal.
1041:United States Air Force Academy people
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1007:"A Janitor's 10 Lessons in Leadership"
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438:Don't pursue glory; pursue excellence.
345:36th Infantry Division shoulder patch.
266:. He later worked as a janitor at the
213:Crawford was born on May 19, 1918, in
182:(May 19, 1918 – March 15, 2000) was a
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823:On Patrol – The magazine of the USO
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773:. Pueblo Medal of Honor Foundation
750:. Pueblo, Colorado. Archived from
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1066:Military personnel from Colorado
970:"Funeral for William Crawford".
941:"Palmer Lake Historical Society"
740:Roper, Peter (August 30, 2010).
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453:Life is a Leadership Laboratory.
268:United States Air Force Academy
203:United States Air Force Academy
91:United States Air Force Academy
926:"Texas Military Forces museum"
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618:National Defense Service Medal
406:Take Time to Know Your People.
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1061:People from Pueblo, Colorado
819:"Leadership and the Janitor"
676:WWII Army Enlistment Records
398:Courtesy Makes a Difference.
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902:"Medal of Honor recipients"
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445:No job is beneath a Leader.
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613:World War II Victory Medal
390:Everyone Deserves Respect.
95:Colorado Springs, Colorado
23:William J. "Bill" Crawford
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322:was named in his honor.
956:"Pueblo MOH Foundation"
603:American Campaign Medal
596:Army Good Conduct Medal
586:Army Commendation Medal
326:Medal of Honor citation
236:attacked Hill 424 near
223:142nd Infantry Regiment
193:for his actions during
148:142nd Infantry Regiment
466:Awards and decorations
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382:Be Cautious of Labels.
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226:36th Infantry Division
152:36th Infantry Division
128:1942 – 1945, 1947–1967
754:on September 1, 2010.
591:Prisoner of War Medal
414:Anyone Can Be a Hero.
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180:William John Crawford
125:Years of service
79:Palmer Lake, Colorado
747:The Pueblo Chieftain
238:Altavilla Silentina
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184:United States Army
119:United States Army
1001:. March 19, 2000.
974:. March 21, 2000.
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189:who received the
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867:. Retrieved
863:the original
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703:. Retrieved
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620:with bronze
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158:Battles/wars
74:(2000-03-15)
59:May 19, 1918
1036:2000 deaths
1031:1918 births
999:The Gazette
990:The Gazette
981:The Gazette
972:The Gazette
869:October 18,
829:October 18,
777:October 18,
581:Bronze Star
276:Palmer Lake
41:Nickname(s)
1025:Categories
1012:October 5,
961:October 5,
946:October 5,
931:October 5,
771:Hero Plaza
705:August 30,
663:References
355:Leadership
290:Bill Owens
108:of America
102:Allegiance
55:1918-05-19
232:when his
221:with the
209:Biography
1076:Janitors
879:cite web
729:Obituary
630:See also
244:and his
113:Service/
916:July 1,
257:Germans
250:platoon
234:company
219:private
201:at the
199:janitor
187:soldier
793:"Home"
409:midst?
401:of us.
307:, and
168:Awards
115:branch
825:. USO
393:team.
246:rifle
230:scout
1014:2010
963:2010
948:2010
933:2010
918:2010
889:link
885:link
871:2012
831:2012
779:2012
707:2010
451:10.
433:you.
314:The
143:Unit
133:Rank
81:, US
69:Died
64:, US
49:Born
44:Bill
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428:7.
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412:5.
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388:2.
380:1.
318:in
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