# Presentation: 127662

## JANITOR OFFERS 

**JANITOR OFFERS **
**10 LESSONS **
**IN LEADERSHIP**

- Based on article written by
- Col. James Moschgat
- Vice Commandant Air Command and Staff College
- Air University, Maxwell AFB

**Cadet Programs Conference**
**16-17  February  2008**
** ****Camp San Luis Obispo**
- Ch (Lt Col) Paul Ward

**Notes:**
     William "Bill" Crawford certainly was an unimpressive figure, one you could easily overlook during a hectic day at the U.S. Air Force Academy.  Mr. Crawford, as most of us referred to him back in the late 1970s, was our squadron janitor.
   While we cadets busied ourselves preparing for academic exams, athletic events, Saturday morning parades and room inspections, or never-ending leadership classes, Bill quietly moved about the squadron mopping and buffing floors, emptying trash cans, cleaning toilets, or just tidying up the mess 100 college-age kids can leave in a dormitory.  Sadly, and for many years, few of us gave him much notice, rendering little more than a passing nod or throwing a curt, "G'morning!" in his direction as we hurried off to our  daily duties.
      Why?  Perhaps it was because of the way he did his job-he always kept the squadron area spotlessly clean, even the toilets and showers gleamed. Frankly, he did his job so well, none of us had to notice or get involved.  After all, cleaning toilets was his job, not ours.  Maybe it was is physical appearance that made him disappear into the background.  Bill didn't move very quickly and, in fact, you could say he even shuffled a bit, as if he suffered from some sort of injury.  His gray hair and wrinkled face made him appear ancient to a group of young cadets.  And his crooked smile, well, it  looked a little funny.  Face it, Bill was an old man working in a young person's  world.  What did he have to offer us on a personal level?
     Finally, maybe it was Mr. Crawford's personality that rendered him almost invisible to the young people around him.  Bill was shy, almost painfully so.  He seldom spoke to a cadet unless they addressed him first, and that didn't happen very often.  Our janitor always buried himself in his work, moving about with stooped shoulders, a quiet gait, and an averted gaze.  If he noticed the hustle and bustle of cadet life around him, it was hard to tell.  So, for whatever reason, Bill blended into the woodwork and became just another fixture around the squadron.  The Academy, one of our nation's premier leadership laboratories, kept us busy from dawn till dusk.  And Mr. Crawford...well, he was just a janitor.
      That changed one fall Saturday afternoon in 1976.  I was reading a book about World War II and the tough Allied ground campaign in Italy, when I stumbled across an incredible story.  On September 13, 1943, a Private William Crawford from Colorado, assigned to the 36th Infantry Division, had been involved in some bloody fighting on Hill 424 near Altavilla, Italy. 

## G.O. No.: 57, 20 July 1944. 

**Citation:**  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.

**Notes:**
The words on the page leapt out at me: "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." It continued, "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, the President of the United States ..."

"Holy cow," I said to my roommate, "you're not going to believe this, but I think our janitor is a Medal of Honor winner." We all knew Mr. Crawford was a WWII Army vet, but that didn't keep my friend from looking at me as if I was some sort of alien being.  Nonetheless, we couldn't wait to ask Bill about the story on Monday.  We met Mr.  Crawford bright and early Monday and showed him the page in question from the book, anticipation and doubt in our faces. He starred at it for a few silent moments and then quietly uttered something like, "Yep, that's me."

Mouths agape, my roommate and I looked at one another, then at the book, and quickly back at our janitor.  Almost at once we both stuttered, "Why didn't you ever tell us about it?"  He slowly replied after some thought,   "That was one day in my life and it happened a long time ago."

## The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. 

- Generally presented to its recipient by the President of the United States of America in the name of Congress, it is often called the *Congressional Medal of Honor.*

**Notes:**
 I guess we were all at a loss for words after that.  We had to hurry off to class and Bill, well, he had chores to attend to.  However, after that brief exchange, things were never again the same around our squadron.  Word spread like wildfire among the cadets that we had a hero in our midst - Mr. Crawford, our janitor, had won the Medal!  Cadets who had once passed by Bill with hardly a glance, now greeted him with a smile and a respectful, "Good morning, Mr. Crawford." Those who had before left a mess for the "janitor"  to clean up started taking it upon themselves to put things in order.  Most cadets routinely stopped to talk to Bill throughout the day and we even began inviting him to our formal squadron functions.  He'd show up dressed in a conservative dark suit and quietly talk to those who approached him, the only sign of his heroics being a simple blue, star-spangled lapel pin.

## William J. Crawford

-                            During World War II, after destroying two machine gun nests,
-                               Bill was taken prisoner by the Germans. While in captivity, he
-                               survived a 52-day, 500-mile winter march. He was reported
-                               missing in action and presumed dead by the U.S. Army. Bill's
-                               father accepted the Medal Of Honor for his son from President
-                               Franklin Roosevelt in 1943.
- Forty-one years later, President Ronald Reagan presented
- the Medal Of Honor to a very much alive Master Sergeant
- (U.S. Army, Ret.) Bill Crawford at the U. S. Air Force
- Academy on May 31, 1984.
- Following the war, Bill married Eileen Bruce on January 13, 1946.  He retired from the Army following 20 years of service. The couple moved to Palmer Lake. Bill was active in Palmer Lake as director of the Lucretia Vaile Museum, president of the Palmer Lake Historical Society, Yule Log Lighter, Election Judge, Superintendent of Sunday School at the Little Log Church and a member of the Kiwanis Club and VFW Post #4051.

**Notes:**
Almost overnight, Bill went from being a simple fixture in our squadron to one of our teammates.  Mr. Crawford changed too, but you had to look closely to notice the difference.  After that fall day in 1976, he seemed to move with more purpose, his shoulders didn't seem to be as stooped, he met our greetings with a direct gaze and a stronger "good morning" in return, and he flashed his crooked smile more often.  The squadron gleamed as always, but everyone now seemed to notice it more.  Bill even got to know most of us by our first names, something that didn't happen often at the Academy.  While no one ever formally acknowledged the change, I think we became Bill's cadets  and his squadron. As often happens in life, events sweep us away from those in our past.

The last time I saw Bill was on graduation day in June 1977.  As I walked out of the squadron for the last time, he shook my hand and simply said, "Good luck, young man."  With that, I embarked on a career that has been truly lucky and blessed.  Mr. Crawford continued to work at the Academy and eventually retired in his native Colorado where he resides today, one of four Medal of Honor winners living in a small town.  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.  Here are ten I'd like to share with you.

## 1.  Be cautious of

- labels

- 2.  Every one deserves

- respect

- 3.                makes a difference

- Courtesy

- 4.  Take time to          your
-      people

- know

- 5.  Anyone can be a

- hero

**Notes:**
I'd like to share 10 of them with you.
1.  Be Cautious of Labels. Labels you place on people may define your relationship to them and bind their potential. For years we labeled Bill "just a janitor" ... but he was so much more. Therefore, be cautious of a leader who callously says, "Hey, he's just an airman." Likewise, don't tolerate the young officer who says, "I can't do that, I'm just a lieutenant."
2.  Everyone Deserves Respect. Because of the "janitor" label we hung on Mr. Crawford, we wrongly treated him with less respect than others. He deserved better, not because he was a Medal of Honor winner, but because he was a janitor, walked among us, and was a part of our team.
3. Courtesy Makes a Difference. Be courteous to all around you, regardless of rank or position. Military customs, as well as common courtesies, help bond a team. When our perfunctory "hellos" became heartfelt greetings, Bill's demeanor and personality changed. It made a difference for all of us.
4. Take Time to Know Your People. Life in the military is hectic, but that's no excuse for not knowing the people you work for and with. For years a hero walked among us at the Academy and we never knew it. Who are the heroes that walk in your midst?

5. Anyone Can Be a Hero. Mr. Crawford certainly didn't fit a standard definition of a hero.  Moreover, he was "just" a private the day he won his medal. Don't sell people short, for any one of them may be the hero who rises to the occasion when duty calls.   On the other hand, it's easy to rely on proven performers when the chips are down, but don't ignore the rest of the team. Today's rookie could and should be be tomorrow's superstar. 

## 6.             should be humble

- Leaders

- 7. You won’t always get what you
-     (think you)

- deserve

- 8. No      is beneath a leader

- job

- 9. Pursue

- excellence

- 10. Life is a                laboratory

- leadership

**Notes:**
6. Leaders Should Be Humble. Most modern-day heroes and leaders are anything but humble, especially if you calibrate your “hero meter” on today's athletic fields.  End zone celebrations and self-aggrandizement are what we’ve come to expect from sports greats.  Not Mr. Crawford - he was too busy working to celebrate his past heroics. Leaders would be well-served to do the same.
7. You Won't Always Get What You (Think You) Deserve. We in the military work hard and we deserve recognition, right? Sometimes you must persevere, even without accolades. Don't pursue glory; pursue excellence. Private Crawford didn't pursue glory; he did his duty – and then swept floors.
8. No Job is Beneath a Leader. If a Medal of Honor winner could clean latrines and smile, is there any job beneath your dignity? Think about it.
9. Pursue Excellence. No matter what task life hands you, do it well. Dr. Martin Luther King said, "If life makes you a street sweeper, be the best street sweeper you can be." Mr. Crawford modeled that philosophy and helped make our dormitory area a home.

10. Life is a Leadership Laboratory. Those you meet every day teach enduring lessons if you just take time to learn them. I spent four years at the Air Force Academy, took dozens of classes, read hundreds of books, and met thousands of great people. I gleaned leadership skills from all of them, but one I remember most is Mr. Bill Crawford and the lessons he unknowingly taught. Don't miss your opportunity to learn.

## DISCUSSION                           QUESTIONS:

- 1.   Why do we tend to place labels on other people?
-       Is placing labels on others fair to them?  Is it fair to you?
- How would define “prejudice”?  Are “first impressions” always correct?
- Do we show respect and courtesy to others because
-       they have earned it or do we show respect and courtesy to others
-       because they deserve it?
- 4.   What are some ways that you can learn more about others?
- What is humility and how does one attain it?
- “Sometimes you must persevere, even without accolades.  Don’t
-       pursue glory; pursue excellence.”   Do you agree with that observation?
-       If so, why?  If not, why not?

- 7.   Why do we tend to shy away from tasks that we perceive “are
-       beneath us”?
- 8.   What is the difference between mediocrity and excellence?
- 9.   Who has been a “Bill Crawford” in your life?

**Notes:**
Discussion Questions:

Why do we tend to place labels on other people?  Is placing labels on others fair to them?  Is it fair to you?
2. How would you define “prejudice”?  Are “first impressions” always correct?
3. Do we show respect and courtesy to others because they have earned it or do we show respect and courtesy to others because they deserve it?
4.  What are some ways that you can learn more about others?
5. What is humility and how does one attain it?
6. “Sometimes you must persevere, even without accolades.  Don’t pursue glory; pursue excellence.”   Do you agree with that observation?  If so, why?  If not, why not?
7.  Why do we tend to shy away from tasks that we perceive “are beneath us”?
8. What is the difference between mediocrity and excellence?
9. Who has been a “Bill Crawford” in your life?

## BRINGING IT HOME:

-                     -- Don’t always rely on first impressions.

-                     -- Take what you have heard and learned
-                         from this lesson and apply it to your
-                         everyday lives.

-                     -- Look for the “Bill Crawfords” in your life.

**Notes:**

Bringing It Home:
-- Don’t always rely on first impressions 
-- Look for the “Bill Crawfords” in your life. 
-- Take what you have heard and learned this lesson and apply it to your everyday lives.

## William J. Crawford

- May 19, 1918 – March 15, 2000