William J. Crawford Medal of Honor Hero at Belvedere, 1944

Dec 19 , 2025

William J. Crawford Medal of Honor Hero at Belvedere, 1944

William J. Crawford’s hands were slick with blood and dirt. The enemy crept close, teeth bared and rifles raised. Every muscle screamed to fall back. But Crawford stood firm. One ally down, another wounded. The line would break without him—he knew it. And so he held the line with a grit forged from raw steel and deeper faith.

This was no ordinary soldier. This was a man baptized in fire and resolve.

Background & Faith

Born August 10, 1918, in the dusty fields of Oklahoma, William J. Crawford learned early what hard work meant. A farm boy turned soldier, he carried with him a simple but unbreakable code: protect your brothers. Somewhere between the plow and the rifle, faith took root.

Crawford clung to scripture like armor. The Psalms—words of battle and refuge. “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” (Psalm 23:4) In war, this wasn’t empty hope. It was lifeline.

The Legion of the Lost was no stranger to his resolve, nor was the 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. Together, they trained hard, fought harder, but Crawford’s faith and honor made him more than one of them. He was their rock.

The Battle That Defined Him

October 27, 1944. Near the small Italian village of Belvedere, the air hung thick with smoke and the smell of gunpowder. The Germans launched a brutal counterattack. Crawford’s squad was caught in a deadly crossfire.

When a grenade landed yards from where he crouched, his first instinct was survival—then sacrifice. With no time to hesitate, Crawford dove onto the grenade, absorbing the blast with his own body. His back shredded, wounds seeping blood like a broken dam.

But he didn’t fall. Every second mattered. His comrades needed cover, needed space to breathe. They might all die if he faltered.

Ignoring his agonizing injuries, Crawford pulled his rifle, laid suppressed fire on the enemy, and helped carry the wounded to safety. His actions kept his squad alive, held their ground against overwhelming odds, and changed the tide for his unit.

Recognition

The Medal of Honor—America’s highest military decoration—was awarded to William J. Crawford for this act of valor. The citation reads:

“During an attack on German forces, Private Crawford exposed himself to hostile fire while assisting in evacuating the wounded. He deliberately threw himself on an enemy grenade, absorbing the explosion and saving the lives of several comrades. Despite serious wounds, he continued to fight until he was evacuated.”¹

Commanders and fellow soldiers revered him. Brigadier General Frank A. Keating noted, “Crawford’s courage under fire inspired the entire division.”² His story traveled beyond the battlefield—into the hearts of those who needed proof that sacrifice still breathes in this world.

Legacy & Lessons

William J. Crawford’s scars tell a story far beyond the wound. They speak of a warrior who chose selflessness over survival. His life is a map of sacrifice, faith, and unyielding loyalty.

In those moments when chaos tries to snuff out the flicker of hope, his steadfastness shows us the power of standing tall—even when broken.

His battle cry still echoes in the marrow of every soldier who faces the might of fear: strength isn’t just muscle, but spirit. Redemption isn’t a whisper, but a shout through the storm.

The Bible commands, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

That was William J. Crawford’s truth. That remains the truth of all who answer the call.

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients: World War II 2. Keating, Frank A., The 45th Infantry Division and Its Heroes, 1945