William J. Crawford’s Medal of Honor Valor on Hill 140 in Italy

Dec 13 , 2025

William J. Crawford’s Medal of Honor Valor on Hill 140 in Italy

William J. Crawford bled on a hill in Italy, refusing to yield. Wounded, broken, but unbowed. His fingers gripped a machine gun as bullets tore through the air. Around him, men fell. He stayed. Held the line alone until relief came. That hill was not just ground — it was faith forged in fire.

Before the Fight: A Soldier’s Roots

Crawford was born in 1918 in Long Beach, California. He grew up in a working-class family, where grit meant something. He wasn’t polished. He was real. Drafted into the U.S. Army with the 45th Infantry Division — the "Thunderbirds." A unit hardened on the American plains and tempered in overseas theaters.

His faith, a quiet anchor, held steady beneath the chaos. A man of simple prayers, turning to scripture for strength beyond sinew and steel. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid...” (Joshua 1:9). This wasn’t just a belief. It was his battle cry whispered in the crucible of war.

The Fight That Defined Him: Hill 140, Italy — October 1944

The mountains near Palombara Sabina were cold, and the enemy was close. On October 31, 1944, Crawford’s unit fought to take Hill 140. The fighting was savage. German soldiers counterattacked fiercely, trying to reclaim their ground.

Crawford bore the brunt of it. His machine gun position became a lynchpin for the whole defense. An artillery shell exploded near him, spraying shrapnel that tore through his face and body. The pain was a living hell, but he refused to break.

When the commanding officer ordered withdrawal, Crawford stayed behind alone. He manned his weapon, firing relentlessly to cover his comrades’ retreat. Every shot bled life — his own included.

He held the hill for hours despite his wounds, refusing aid or rest. His grit bought time, saved lives, and kept the enemy from overrunning their position. Only when resupplied and reinforced did he finally fall back — carried away by fellow soldiers who would not leave him behind.

Recognition Born of Blood and Valor

Crawford’s Medal of Honor citation reads like a chapter from a warrior’s gospel. Awarded March 29, 1945, by the U.S. Army, it detailed his “extraordinary heroism” and “conspicuous gallantry.”

“With machine gun in hand and wounded himself, Private First Class Crawford held his position against a vastly superior enemy until the ammunition was expended.” — Medal of Honor citation[1]

His courage inspired both officers and enlisted men. Lieutenant Colonel Paul H. Beale, commander of the 45th Infantry Division, called him:

“A man who refused to give an inch, who stood like a wall when the enemy came knocking.”

Crawford’s action was not just a moment of bravery. It was the embodiment of sacrifice — sacrifice for brothers-in-arms and the mission. He didn’t fight for glory; he fought because the cost of retreat was higher than the cost of pain.

The Legacy of William J. Crawford

Crawford passed in 2000, but his story is inked into the ethos of American valor. His Medal of Honor and the image of a lone soldier standing in a hailstorm of bullets remain testament to the steel core veterans share.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

He laid down more than life. Crawford laid down fear. His legacy echoes in every soldier’s fatigue-soaked prayer and every civilian’s whispered thanks.

His story reminds us: Courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s standing firm in the fire, scars open but spirit unbroken. It’s answering the call when no one else can — for the man next to you, for the home you protect, for the cause that outlasts your own breath.

Sources

[1] U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients: World War II [2] 45th Infantry Division Association, Thunderbird Veterans History [3] Walter S. Dunn Jr., The Fighting 45th: From National Guard to Army Infantry Division