An Unassuming Janitor Bill Crawford was a soft-spoken, janitor at the prestigious US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. He quietly cleaned and tidied up after 100 young cadets, but little did they know he was harboring a secret about who he was.
An Unassuming Janitor
William “Bill” Crawford, the elderly janitor dutifully cleaned up after 100 cadets. He worked hard and kept to himself. The cadets who passed the old man each day didn’t give his back story a second thought…
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Harboring A Secret
He was considered by those around him as a relatively unimpressive character. He was quiet and unassuming. Despite his quiet demeanor, the old man was actually withholding an astonishing secret about his past.
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Quite A Prescene
For years, the janitor went unnoticed by those around him. The kind and reserved “Mr. Crawford,” as he was known, seemed to be an ordinary man but the details of his revealing past wouldn’t stay hidden for much longer.
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Under The Radar
Crawford was born in 1918 in Pueblo, Colorado. After years of traveling the world, Crawford returned to his home state to seek out a low-stress job that would help pass his later years.
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Things Would Change
He happily took on his minor role at the academy, glad to keep the secret knowledge of his elaborate past under lock and key. Crawford was largely overlooked as “an old man working in a young person’s world.” However, things would soon abruptly change.
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Seemingly Normal But Not As It Appeared
Retired Air Force Col. James Moschgat, who was a cadet at the time, recounted Crawford’s seemingly shy and passive demeanor and how that along with his age difference with the cadets left little in the way of pursuing relationships on a more personal level.
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Surface Tells A Different Story
On the surface, Crawford appeared to be an ordinary man, doing ordinary, everyday kinds of jobs that could help with his pension benefits and allow him to contribute to his country. Little did anyone know though, he had anything but an “ordinary” background.
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Everything Would Change
No one could have guessed, but in 1976 everything would change. Crawford continued to quietly sweep and empty trash cans and clean toilets as he did every day. Yet, a discovery about him would soon be revealed that would transform both the lives of the janitor and the students.
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Dramatic Discovery
One unassuming Saturday afternoon, then-cadet Moschgat was reading a book about World War II and the Allied ground campaign in Italy when he happened to come across an incredible account that made him put his book down in shock. “Holy cow!” he shouted to his roommate.
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Speechless
“The words on the page leapt out at me,” Moschgat later admitted. The future F-16 pilot who had been so focused on his nearing graduation had unintentionally uncovered clues about the aging janitor who unobtrusively “shuffled” around the Air Force Academy with a smile.
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Clues In Bold Letters
Moschgat suddenly turned his attention to the name “Private William Crawford” written in big bold letters. The cadet wondered if the fascinating description of the trooper from Colorado had any correlation to his current squadron’s reserved janitor.
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Astonishing Connection
Soon, not only Moschgat but the whole class would find out the astounding connection between the trooper described the in war history book and the “Mr Crawford” the students dismissed as “old grandpa.” Moschgat could barely hold himself together, he was so excited about his discovery.
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Tale Of Bravery
Moschgat had come across a story that had taken place some 30 years prior about the US Army’s 36 Infantry Division’s encounter with a perilous affront by enemy forces near Altavilla, Italy during World War II.
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Tales Of The Past
The words of the riveting anecdote captured the cadet’s attention, stating: “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.’
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Unsung Hero
Wondering if the particularly brave soldier mentioned in the book could be the same man as the Air Force Academy’s custodial worker, Moschgat prepared to approach the janitor and inquire if he was indeed the same hero. He would never have guessed what would happen next.
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Chasing Him Down
As soon as they could, Moschgat and his roommate bewilderedly chased down Crawford with the book in hand. Crawford was reluctant at first to answer the queries. But the cadets probed him for more details about the truth until he caved. What they discovered was astounding.
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The Reluctant Truth
After staring at the page for a few silent moments, Crawford succumbed in his signature humble manner. The cadets stood with mouths wide open in silent disbelief looking back-and-forth at each other, the book and the janitor when he finally answered.
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He Reveals The Truth
“Yep, that’s me,” Crawford admitted rubbing his head. When asked why he never spoke about his heroic past, he had a slow pause before he answered. “That was a long time ago and one day in my life,” he quietly uttered. But, the amazing story doesn’t end there. You need to find out what happened next.
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Heroic Soldier
Crawford joined the US Army in July 1942. Just a year after his enlistment, he was serving as a private on the front lines in southern Italy with the 142nd Infantry Regiment 36 Infantry Division. At this time, unbeknown to him, the former boxing champ would soon tap into skills from the ring.
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Attack From All Sides
On September 13, 1943, he was acting as a squad scout when his company attacked an enemy position at Hill 424 near Altavilla Silentina. The American troops came under strong enemy fire, trapped by the bombardment of machine-gun fire. It seemed Crawford’s unit was hopelessly trapped. There did not seem to be a way out.
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Superhero
That’s when Crawford stepped up without taking a second thought, taking a pivotal role against the German attack. Utilizing his clear line of vision and without instruction, he fearlessly located the enemy threat targetting his platoon and incredibly lobbed a grenade and eliminated one enemy firing post.
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Taking Initiative
The brave action saved many lives of his commrades, but Crawford courageously advanced through the continuing assault again taking initiative for the men that couldn’t. Demonstrating skill and precision, he crawled, avoiding the constant barrage of bullets, and managed to destroy two more deeply-entrenched German machine gun nests.
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From Daring To Danger
Due to Crawford’s intrepid actions, the rest of the opposing forces fled to avoid facing the man who single-handedly demolished three entrenched posts. The Allied advance could proceed thanks to Crawford. Unfortunately, his frontline position that had helped defeat the onslaught soon translated to danger. But what happened next?
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Enemy Approaches
Located in close proximity to the enemy, the bold soldier at the head of the offensive was then captured by German troops. With slim chances of survival, the Crawford was reported MIA and presumed dead. The tragic assumptions made the coming developments all the more remarkable.
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Tragedy And Honor
As all signs pointed to Crawford meeting his fate as German Prisoner of War, the US government took provisions to recognize the private at the highest level. In 1944, the venerated Crawford was “posthumously” awarded America’s most prestigious military decoration – the Medal of Honor.
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Presumed Dead
Months passed and Crawford’s family and comrades wondered about the circumstance of his fate. Without warning, the unbelievable happened when a group of soldiers were liberated from German captivity. Crawford, the world incredibly learned, was actually alive and among the freed troops.
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Prisoner Of War
Named a national hero and triumphant survivor of a horrible German POW camp, Crawford finally headed home unaware of the top award he had been honored or of the surprising events that the future had in store for him.
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Finally Home
Crawford settled back into civilian life after the war. He married Eileen Bruce in January 1946, but the prospect of military service again beckoned the decorated war hero. Despite all that he’d already given for his country, Crawford re-enlisted in the Army a year after his special day.
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Finally Retires
Crawford served for 20 more years before retiring in 1967 with the rank of master sergeant. The Crawfords moved to Palmer Lake, Colorado, where he stayed busy serving as director of the Lucretia Vaile Museum and working as a janitor at the nearby Air Force Academy.
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Gave His All, Fought For His Life
Crawford rarely wore his Medal of Honor during his military career as he humbly felt unworthy. The true patriot, who selflessly and at all costs, fought for his county honorably, didn’t hesitate to do it without complaint, and with his life at risk, as others might have done. So what happened when the truth came out?
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When The Truth Came Out
When the truth about Crawford’s past came to light during his time as a custodian, he was approached in astonished reverence. The Air Force trainees increasingly engaged with him and consciously tried to prevent making messes they knew he’d clean. Little did he know, these interactions would soon lead to another life-changing event.
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Little Did He Know What Was To Come
Crawford quickly turned from being a fixture, that everyone ignored, to a beloved colleague at the academy and attended more functions. He then seemed to act with more purpose and warmed up to the cadets. Still, he had one unfilled wish.
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Huge Surprise In Store
Without expectations, Crawford mentioned to friends that he had never personally received the Medal of Honor from the president seeing that he was presumed dead during the war. Taking that fact into account, something special was planned for the inspiring war hero.
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As a janitor, his salary was between $24k-$33k. Bill was a dedicated employee and he honored his work. However, he deserved more than his salary. He deserved to be commended for his war efforts, but at that time Bill wasn’t being given the credit he deserved. Until something unexpected happened.
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Struggling Yet Never Complained
The job benefits for a janitor were not so great, especially being an elderly war veteran. Yet Bill never complained about his job, even when he was struggling. It was hard for Bill to grasp the fact that after serving his country, his country was no longer serving him.
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Secret Wishes
In 1984, Crawford was invited as a guest to the Air Force Academy’s graduation ceremony not knowing that something incredible was in store for him. Thousands of people packed into Colorado Springs Falcon Stadium for the commencement festivities that would include a particularly touching gesture for the dedicated veteran.
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The President Arrives
“Well, nearly 40 years have gone by, and it’s time to do it right,” the President said as he stood up to give the janitor his esteemed award. The president then called Crawford forward to the podium and, at long last, formally presented him with the esteemed Medal of Honor he was rightfully due.
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What A Moment
When Reagan gently hung the medal around Crawford’s neck, it was truly a moment that he would never forget. As true to character as ever, Bill Crawford graciously accepted the honor, shaking the president’s hand and beaming in pride.
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Explosion In The Audience
The crowd exploded in applause as both Crawford and Reagan appeared visibly moved. From his time in the war well into retirement, Crawford never sought to be commended for his deed although had always acted, as Reagan stated, with “conspicuous gallantry.”
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A Hero Awarded
“No job is beneath a leader,” Reagan pointed out. “If Bill Crawford, a Medal of Honor winner, could clean latrines and smile, is there a job beneath your dignity?” As the great Dr. Martin Luther King once said, ‘no matter what task life hands you, do it well’.” Reagan finally explained in his speech, that “life is a leadership laboratory.” Those you meet everyday will teach you enduring lessons if you just take time to stop, look and listen.
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Guilt Takes Over Students
“Everyone deserves respect,” said Reagan to the war hero. Moschgat, felt guilty, “Because we hung the ‘janitor’ label on Mr. Crawford. He deserved much more, and not just because he was a Medal of Honor winner. Bill deserved respect because he was a janitor, and was a part of our team.” It was time for the students to change their ways and how they treated him.
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All American Hero Finally Recognized
Crawford was finally recognized as the All-American Hero that he truly was. “I was just glad that I was doing my part,” he modestly said in response to the events of his life. Remarkably, the real-life hero only ever saw himself serving part of a larger good.
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A Changed Man
“Mr. Crawford changed too,” Moschgat explained. He felt overwhelmed with the amount of praise and appreciative words and acts he received, Moschgat noted that Crawford “seemed to move with more purpose, his shoulders not as stooped, met our greetings with a direct gaze and a stronger ‘good morning’ in return, and flashed his crooked smile more often. While no one ever formally acknowledged the change, I think we became Bill’s cadets and his squadron.”
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Forever A Hero He Would Be
Crawford had just few modest words to remark on the event: “I was just glad that I was doing my part,” he said. “I figured it was just a normal call of duty. I happened to be at the right place at the right time.” His student spoke of him “From storming machine gun nests half a world away from home to becoming a janitor to be closer to the military, he always placed the whole above himself.”
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Time To Go
On March 15, 2000, William Crawford passed away at the age of 81 at his home in Colorado after spending the majority of his life serving his country. The master sergeant was survived by his wife, Eileen, who would lovingly be laid to rest beside him in 2009. “Bill Crawford was a janitor. However, he was also a teacher, friend, role model and one great American hero,” the colonel eulogized in a touching essay post about Crawford that brought the Internet to its knees. Moschgat isn’t the only one who has memorialized him, though.
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Honored And Never Forgotten
The man who had earned a special place in war history, became the only non-Air Force enlistee to be buried at the US Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs. Colorado Governor Bill Owens issued a special directive in honor of the state’s legendary resident. In a symbolic salute of respect and mourning, he authorized all Colorado flags to be lowered to half-mast in Crawford’s honor.