William J. Crawford
Encyclopedia
William J. "Bill" Crawford (May 19, 1918 – March 15, 2000) was a United States Army
soldier who received the Medal of Honor
for his actions during World War II
.
, and later joined the U.S. Army from that city. By September 13, 1943, he was serving as a private
with the 36th Infantry Division in southern Italy. On that day, he was acting as a squad scout
when his company
attacked Hill 424 near Altavilla Silentina
. During the battle, Crawford twice moved forward through continuous fire and, using hand grenade
s and his rifle
, destroyed machine gun nests which were holding back his platoon
's advance.
After the battle, Crawford was captured by the Germans
and presumed dead. So in 1945, the Medal of Honor was presented to his father. Later in the year, Crawford was among a group of soldiers rescued from German captivity.
On January 13, 1946, he married Eileen Bruce. He retired from the Army after 23 years of service and later worked at the United States Air Force Academy
in Colorado Springs
and as director of the Lucretia Vaille Museum in Palmer Lake
.
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 Ronald Reagan
formally presented him with the Medal.
Crawford died at age 81 on March 15, 2000, in his residence at Palmer Lake. Upon his death Governor Bill Owens authorized all Colorado flags to be lowered to half staff in his honor. He is buried at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery
in Colorado Springs.
He is one of four Medal of Honor recipients from Pueblo, Colorado, the others being Drew Dennis Dix
, Raymond G. Murphy
, and Carl L. Sitter
.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
soldier who received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his actions during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Biography
Crawford was born on May 19, 1918, in Pueblo, ColoradoPueblo, Colorado
Pueblo is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pueblo County, Colorado, United States. The population was 106,595 in 2010 census, making it the 246th most populous city in the United States....
, and later joined the U.S. Army from that city. By September 13, 1943, he was serving as a private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
with the 36th Infantry Division in southern Italy. On that day, he was acting as a squad scout
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
when his company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
attacked Hill 424 near Altavilla Silentina
Altavilla Silentina
Altavilla Silentina is a town and comune located in the province of Salerno, Campania, some 100 km south of Naples, Italy.-Geography:...
. During the battle, Crawford twice moved forward through continuous fire and, using hand grenade
Hand grenade
A hand grenade is any small bomb that can be thrown by hand. Hand grenades are classified into three categories, explosive grenades, chemical and gas grenades. Explosive grenades are the most commonly used in modern warfare, and are designed to detonate after impact or after a set amount of time...
s and his rifle
Rifle
A rifle is a firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder, with a barrel that has a helical groove or pattern of grooves cut into the barrel walls. The raised areas of the rifling are called "lands," which make contact with the projectile , imparting spin around an axis corresponding to the...
, destroyed machine gun nests which were holding back his platoon
Platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
's advance.
After the battle, Crawford was captured by the Germans
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and presumed dead. So in 1945, the Medal of Honor was presented to his father. Later in the year, Crawford was among a group of soldiers rescued from German captivity.
On January 13, 1946, he married Eileen Bruce. He retired from the Army after 23 years of service and later worked at the United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
and as director of the Lucretia Vaille Museum in Palmer Lake
Palmer Lake, Colorado
Palmer Lake is a Statutory Town in El Paso County, Colorado, United States. The population was 2,179 at the 2000 census. Palmer Lake was founded by General William Jackson Palmer in 1871. The town was soon incorporated in 1889....
.
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 Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
formally presented him with the Medal.
Crawford died at age 81 on March 15, 2000, in his residence at Palmer Lake. Upon his death Governor Bill Owens authorized all Colorado flags to be lowered to half staff in his honor. He is buried at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery
United States Air Force Academy Cemetery
The United States Air Force Academy Cemetery is a cemetery at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.-Notable interments:* William J. Crawford, World War II Medal of Honor recipient...
in Colorado Springs.
He is one of four Medal of Honor recipients from Pueblo, Colorado, the others being Drew Dennis Dix
Drew Dennis Dix
Drew Dennis Dix is a decorated United States military veteran and retired major in the United States Army. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War; he was the first enlisted Special Forces soldier to receive the medal.- Biography :Dix was born in West Point, New York, and...
, Raymond G. Murphy
Raymond G. Murphy
-External links:...
, and Carl L. Sitter
Carl L. Sitter
Carl Leonard Sitter was a highly decorated United States Marine Corps officer and Korean War Medal of Honor recipient.-Marine Corps career:...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Crawford's official Medal of Honor citation reads: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 3d Platoon, in which Pvt. Crawford was a squad scout, attacked as base platoon for the company. After reaching the crest of the hill, the platoon was pinned down by intense enemy machinegun 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 machinegun 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 machinegun 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 machinegun, he fired on the withdrawing Germans and facilitated his company's advance.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II