Keeping The Country Safe

The humble janitor expired on March 15, 2000, at 81 years of age. He spends the majority of his time on earth serving his country and dies at his residence in Colorado where he and his wife Eileen lived. He made history even after death. His incredible dedication was enough for him to be buried at the US Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs making him the first ever non -Air Force enlistee to lie there in the Air Force Academy. In 2009 Eileen died too and was buried next to him.

His Legacy

On the day of Crawford’s death, all Colorado flags were lowered to half-mast to show mourning and honor the celebrated veteran. Governor Bill Owens issued an order for this as he respected Crawford very much. There was a bronze statue made of him which stood next to Raymond G. Murphy, Drew Dennis Dix, and Carl L. Sitter, who were all Medal of Honor recipients from the same town.

Food For Thought

Crawford taught us to be humble, determined and courageous. Moschgat spoke of Crawford in his essay proclaiming him as “A Janitor’s Ten Lessons in Leadership,” where he describes him clearly,“Private Bill Crawford didn’t pursue glory; he did his duty and then swept floors for a living,” adding, “If Bill Crawford, a Medal of Honor winner, could clean latrines and smile, is there a job beneath your dignity? Think about it.”

Many Valuable Lessons

Moschgat was spot on about how he described Crawford in his essay. His admiration was blatant in his the words that he used in his essay. His essay wrote, “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”

Delayed Dedications

Was this story about the war veteran toughing for you? Then you will be glad to know that Crawford was not the only man in history to receive the Medal of Honor years after his achievements. There is a list of men and one of them goes by the name of Vernon Baker who received his honor in 1997 for his act of bravery back on April 5th, 1945. This soldier from Wyoming managed to destroy two German bunkers, two enemy observation posts, and a network of Third Reich telephone lines single-handedly.

A Courageous Leader

Castle Aghinolfi is situated in Italy’s Apennine Mountains which was a crucial spot for the Germans strategically during battle. The Allied forces needed to take control of this castle. Baker and other 25 infantrymen on April 5, 1945 did all they could dodging bullets, jumping hurdles and crawling under barbed fences to get close to the Castle where the Germans were.