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.
-WiscoDave
Sent this to my son and his wife,both stationed ar CO Springs.
ReplyDeleteToo bad she is flaming lib, got him about converted to that lib insanity... *sigh*
Stupid kids (now 28)
I highly doubt few of the kids passing through those halls these days are fit to clean Mr. Crawford’s head.
ReplyDeleteWe are so enamored with our own self importance we shoot ourselves in the foot each and every time we fail to learn and appreciate the greatness of the whom have passed before us..... If only they knew. And they should, being an Air Force academy I have no doubt studies of allies and oppressors tactics were on the studies list.
ReplyDeleteNever underestimate that quiet elderly gentleman puttering in his rose beds. He was probably a bigger badass in his time than most of us will ever be.
ReplyDeleteI've read his story many times, but did not know that he is the only non Air Force Enlisted Man Buried at the Academy.
ReplyDeleteThere were giants in those days and they looked like ordinary men.
ReplyDeleteDave
If only we can have this kind of courage when called upon. Nemo
ReplyDeleteThank you wirecutter for the great post.
ReplyDeleteI am all choked up right now.
ReplyDeleteThank you for making me aware of this hero.
Great Post about a Great Man. Thanks wirecutter.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was on USS Asheville in the Late nineties, John Finn visited the boat several times. Always piped onboard with Medal of Honor, Arriving (even the Captain would meet him topside and salute him). He would spend several hours shooting the shit with the junior sailors.
ReplyDeleteGot a Lot of free meals.
Supply Officer bitched about it until the C.O. told him to STFU!
Great Guy!
A Simple "Fuck You" is sufficient"
ReplyDelete