Did you know about the soldier who survived his “posthumous” Medal of Honor?

William J. Crawford, the “posthumous” receiver of a Medal of Honor
(Photo: Congressional Medal of Honor Society)

The Medal of Honor (The Medal of Honor), the highest military decoration of the United States, was awarded to 471 servicemen for their actions during World War II – more than half of them, 273, received it posthumously. One of these 273 posthumous medals, however, was special: its recipient was still alive.

William John Crawford (1918-2000) of Pueblo, Colorado, joined the U.S. Army in July 1942. On September 13, 1943, he was serving with the 142nd Infantry Regiment 36th Infantry Division in Southern Italy as a private. Acting as a squad scout, he was in the front of his entire platoon when he and his unit came under fire from first one, then later another two German machine gun positions. Crawford advanced under constant heavy fire and single-handedly destroyed all three positions with his rifle and hand grenades.

William Crawford
(Photo: 36th Infantry Division Facebook page)

Crawford was captured by the Germans a few days later. He was presumed dead, and a Medal of Honor was presented to his father in 1944. Crawford was rescued from captivity later that year, becoming the only living man with a “posthumous” Medal of Honor. He re-enlisted in the Army in 1947 and returned in 1967 as a master sergeant.

Crawford meeting J. F. Kennedy
(Photo: Congressional Medal of Honor Society)

Crawford later worked as a janitor at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. He was a quiet and unassuming man, and nobody there knew of his past until a cadet called James Moschgat read about the World War II exploits of one William Crawford who was presumed killed in action. The book had a picture of Crawford, and Moschgat noticed the similarity with the janitor. When asked, Crawford said it was him. When asked why he never talked about it, he replied "That was one day in my life and it happened a long time ago."

President Reagan presenting Crawford with a non-posthumous Medal of Honor
(Photo: U.S. Air Force Academy)

A newly formed respect quickly surrounded Crawford, who later started telling his story and the life lessons he learned to every academy class. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan presented Crawford with a proper, “live” Medal of Honor at the academy’s graduation ceremony.

Crawford is buried at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery, the only enlisted Army serviceman there.

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