He Was Just A Janitor Until Students Discovered His Secret

An Unassuming Janitor

William “Bill” Crawford, the elderly janitor spent his days mopping, and cleaning, as the students would pass him, yet what they didn’t know, was that he was hiding something.

Harboring A Secret

Crawford may have appeared unassuming, but in truth, he harbored an astonishing secret about his past, that no-one would have guessed In fact, they didn’t really seem to take notice of him, he just became part of the furniture, until…

Quite A Prescene

For years, “Mr. Crawford,” as he was known, kept quiet about his personal life, but the details of his past didn’t stay hidden for long. The young cadets would soon learn that he was not just a janitor.

Under The Radar

Crawford was born in 1918 in Pueblo, Colorado. After years of traveling, and working away from home, Crawford returned  home, following retirement looking for a low-stress job that allowed him to busily pass under the radar.

Things Would Change

He gladly took on his role at the academy, wanting to be somewhere, where no one knew about his past. Crawford was typically ignored as “an old man working in a young person’s world.” Little did they know, however, things would soon change.

Seemingly Normal But Not As It Appeared

Retired Air Force Col. James Moschgat, who was a cadet at the time, spoke of Crawford’s very shy and passive nature, and because he was an elderly gentleman,, the cadets didn’t really connect with him on a personal level.

Surface Tells A Different Story

On the surface, Crawford appeared to be an ordinary man, doing a mundane job in order to get his pension benefits and allow him to contribute what he could. Little it would soon come out that he had anything but an “ordinary” background.

Everything Would Change

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.

Dramatic Discovery

One normal Saturday afternoon, then-cadet Moschgat was reading a book about World War II and the Allied ground campaign in Italy when he came across a chilling story that made him put his book down in shock. “Oh my gosh!” he shouted out loud and told his roommate to come over to where he was reading.

Speechless

“The words on the page leapt out at me,” Moschgat later spoke of that moment. The future F-16 pilot who had been extremely focused on his graduation, had seemingly by accident uncovered clues about the elderly janitor who “shuffled” around the Air Force Academy with a smile going unnoticed.

Clues In Bold Letters

Moschgat suddenly turned his attention to the name “Private William Crawford” written in big bold letters. The cadet wondered if this incredible description of the trooper from Colorado had any connection to the janitor. Could it just be an amazing coincidence?

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 merely ignored and thought of as “ an old grandpa.” Moschgat was so excited about his discovery.

Tale Of Bravery

Moschgat had come across a story that had taken place 30 years earlier, about the US Army’s 36 Infantry Division’s encounter with a tough affront by enemy forces near Altavilla, Italy during World War II.

Tales Of The Past

The words of the riveting story, immediately 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.’

Unsung Hero

Wondering if the notably brave soldier from the story could be the same man as the Air Force Academy’s unassuming  janitor, Moschgat prepared to approach the elderly gentleman and inquire if he was the same hero from the book. He would never have guessed what would happen next.

Chasing Him Down

Moschgat and his roommate looked everywhere for the janitor, it seemed funny, because they had never noticed him really before, yet now they hunted him down with the book in order to get answers. Crawford was reluctant at first to answer the queries. But the cadets probed him and probed him about the truth until he had no choice but to surrender. What they discovered was mindblowing.

The Reluctant Truth

After staring at the pages of the book and taking a deep breath, Crawford opened his mouth and began. The cadets stood in silent disbelief, as the janitor finally answered.

He Reveals The Truth

“Yep, that’s me,” Crawford admitted, bowing 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.

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.

Attack From All Sides

On September 13, 1943, he was a squad scout, when his company were told to attack an enemy position at Hill 424 near Altavilla Silentina. The American troops were faced with strong enemy fire,  and were  hopelessly trapped. There did not seem to be a way out.

Superhero

Crawford then stepped, knowing in that moment what he was meant to do for his men. Looking out into his clear line of vision and without instruction, he fearlessly used his initiative and located the enemy threat. Then he lobbed a grenade and eliminated one enemy firing post.

Taking Initiative

This heroic action saved many lives of his fellow soldiers, but Crawford courageously advanced through the continuing assault again taking action for the men that couldn’t. Utilizing enviable skill and precision, he crawled, avoiding the constant hurricane of bullets, and managed to destroy two more deeply-entrenched German machine gun nests.

From Daring To Danger

Due to Crawford’s brave actions, the rest of the opposing forces fled to avoid facing their fate. The Allied advance could proceed thanks to the hero. But what happened next?

Enemy Approaches

Located in close proximity to the enemy, the soldier took the head of the offensive, but was then captured by German troops. With almost no chance of survival, Crawford was reported MIA and presumed dead. The tragic assumption made these later developments even more astonishing. You must keep going.

Tragedy And Honor

As all signs pointed to Crawford not making it as a German Prisoner of War. The US government took provisions to recognize the private at the highest level, and honor his memory. In 1944, the venerated Crawford was “posthumously” awarded America’s most prestigious military decoration – the Medal of Honor.

Presumed Dead

Months passed and Crawford’s family and comrades still wondered how he was treated, and if he may still be out there. Without warning, the unthinkable happened, when a group of soldiers were let go from German captivity. Crawford was actually alive and among the liberated men.

Prisoner Of War

Named a national hero and triumphant survivor of a horrible German POW camp, Crawford finally headed home, after all he had seen, he was definitely shell shocked. He was totally unaware of the top award he had been honored or of the surprising events that the future had in store for him.

Finally Home

Crawford eventually settled back into every day life after the war. He married Eileen Bruce in January 1946, yet despite all of his efforts already for this country, Crawford re-enlisted in the Army a year after his special day.

Finally Retires

Crawford served for 20 more years before retiring in 1967 as a master sergeant. He and his wife moved to Palmer Lake, Colorado, where he served as director of the Lucretia Vaile Museum and, also worked as a janitor at the nearby Air Force Academy.

Gave His All, Fought For His Life

Crawford rarely wore his Medal of Honor during his military career as he always remained humble.  The true patriot, fought for his county honorably, and believed that it was his duty to do so. So what happened when the truth came out?

When The Truth Came Out

When the truth about Crawford’s past was revealed by the young students, the trainees increasingly  made more of a effort to pay him the respect that he deserved. What he didn’t know, was that these interactions would soon lead to another life-changing event.

Little Did He Know What Was To Come

Crawford quickly became a house hold name, now instead of ignoring him, he was a beloved colleague at the academy and even attended more functions. Yet he still had one unfilled wish.

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.

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.

The President Arrives

“Well, nearly 40 years have gone by, and it’s time to do it right,” the President said firmly as he stood up to give the janitor his longly awaited esteemed award. The president then called Crawford forward to the podium and, at long last, formally presented him with the Medal of Honor.

What A Moment

When Reagan gently hung the medal around Crawford’s neck, it was truly a moment that he would never forget. Bill Crawford graciously accepted the honor, shaking the president’s hand and beaming in pride. He deserved this day so much.

Explosion In The Audience

The crowd erupted in applause as both Crawford and Reagan appeared visibly touched. From his time in the war to retirement, Crawford never expected to be commended for his actions, Reagan stated, he acted with “conspicuous gallantry.”

All American Hero Finally Recognized

Crawford was recognized on that day 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.

Time To Go

On March 15, 2000,  the war hero William Crawford passed away at the age of 81 at his home in Colorado. He spent the majority of his life serving his country. “Bill Crawford was a janitor. However, he was also a teacher, friend, role model and one great American hero,” the colonel spoke of him as they laid him to rest. Moschgat isn’t the only one who has memorialized him, though.

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. This would have made him beam with pride.