William J. Crawford's Medal of Honor at Hill 400, Leyte

Jan 12 , 2026

William J. Crawford's Medal of Honor at Hill 400, Leyte

Blood and ground beneath frostbitten feet. The night shrank with every scream and crack of fire. William J. Crawford—Private First Class of the 1st Infantry Division—stood in a nest of bullets that shredded friends and foes alike. Fever pitched, legs torn open, still he held the line. That night, pain was a totem. Courage, his pulsing rifle.

The Bloodied Son from Kansas

William J. Crawford was born in 1918, Cherokee County, Kansas. A son of hard soil and stern faith. Raised Protestant, his spirituality was quiet but ironclad—a backbone under the shroud of war. Before combat, Crawford laid down bricks in California and harvested crops in Washington State. Men molded in labor, tempered by grit.

Faith wasn’t an afterthought for Crawford; it was his armor. Like David against Goliath, he believed strength was more than muscle. It was vertical, calling down from a higher throne. Scripture whispered in his heart through the thickest smoke:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged...” — Joshua 1:9

A simple code. Be brave. Stand firm. Protect your brothers.

The Battle That Defined Him: Hill 400, Leyte, Philippines — November 1944

The 1st Infantry Division had its name carved anew in the blazing hell on Leyte. The island was a trap—Japanese forces dug deep, ready to bleed the Americans dry. Hill 400 stood as a jagged scar on the landscape, a position vital for the island’s liberation.

On November 2, 1944, Crawford's unit faced a savage counterattack. Japanese troops surged with bayonets and grenades, trying to shatter the American line. The ground shook with each explosion. Men fell screaming beside him.

Crawford’s leg took a fatal hit from machine gun fire—torn muscle, shattered bone, burning agony. Yet, he refused evacuation. Instead of weakness, he chose ferocity.

With a Browning Automatic Rifle, he opened fire on the onrushing enemies, mowing down waves despite his wounds. When his weapon jammed, he grabbed another rifle from a fallen comrade. When grenades landed too close, he hurled them back—each defused death knocking back the enemy tide.

Hours ground on. His endurance bled out but his will did not. His actions galvanized the men around him, stopping a possible breach, buying time for reinforcements to seal the hill.

Recognition Born of Valor

For this relentless defense, William J. Crawford was awarded the Medal of Honor—the United States’ highest military decoration for valor. The citation traces his heroism back to that night:

“With complete disregard for his own life, [Crawford] remained in an advanced position... despite painful wounds... threw back enemy grenades and poured a withering fire into the enemy.”

General Courtney Hodges praised Crawford’s steadfastness as “a shining example of the highest soldierly virtues.”

Crawford’s Medal of Honor was presented by President Harry Truman on July 4, 1945—a moment heavy with symbolism. On America’s birthday, a fighter who soaked a foreign soil with sacrifice received the nation’s deepest thanks.

Enduring Legacy: The Quiet Warrior’s Lesson

Crawford never sought the spotlight after the war. He returned to humble work, raised a family, and carried his scars silently—a testament to his creed. His story echoes the truth soldiers know too well: valor is not in glory, but in the refusal to surrender—even when the body screams to.

In a world eager for heroes who flash and fade, Crawford’s legacy stands resolute—a bitter, beautiful reminder that courage can be raw, agonizing, and rooted in faith. Not in boasting, but in the hard landscape of brotherhood and duty.

The fighting may end. The medals tarnish. But the scars—those burn on, carrying the weight of redemption and remembrance.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” — John 15:13

William J. Crawford lived this truth—not once, but every grueling second on that hill. His sacrifice grants us the lens to see valor as bloodied, unyielding commitment. For veterans walking their own crucibles today, his story is a torch passed, illuminating the way forward.

The battlefield isn’t just where men die—it is where they become eternal.

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients: World War II 2. Truman Library, Medal of Honor Presentation to William J. Crawford 3. 1st Infantry Division Archives, Leyte Campaign Reports 4. Dead Men’s Boots: Memoirs of the 1st Infantry Division, Martin Blumenson