Photo In Uniform |
Service Details |
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Current Service Status
USA Veteran
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Current/Last Rank
Sergeant First Class
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Current/Last Service Branch
Infantry
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Current/Last Primary MOS
11F10-Infantry Operations And Intelligence Specialist
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Current/Last MOS Group
Infantry
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Primary Unit
1972-1980, 11F10, 1st Brigade, 85th Division (Training)
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Previously Held MOS
11B20-Infantryman
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Service Years
1969 - 1980
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1990, 101st Airborne Division Association
- Assoc. Page
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1996, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), Post 1863, Solon Post (Member) (Chagrin Falls, Ohio)
- Chap. Page
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2011, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 606 (Recorder) (Warren, Ohio)
- Chap. Page
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2011, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Chapter 116 (Executive Director) (Parma, Ohio)
- Chap. Page
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2011, The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor
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2011, National Rifle Association (NRA)
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2012, Military Order of the Cootie
- Assoc. Page
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2012, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), West Shore Chapter 249 (Member) (Bay Village, Ohio)
- Chap. Page
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2015, 101st Airborne Division Vietnam Veterans
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- Baker, Hal, SP 4, (1969-1971)
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Reflections on SFC Crawford's
US Army Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
Needed to find out if I really had courage? At that time of my life, it was important for me to know that if and when the chips were down how I would react. Unfortunately was wounded finding out, but after all these years, I'd probably still make the same decision!!!
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WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I left because all my old friends I joined the service with were getting out and I thought I didn't want to miss the fun. In retrospect, I should of went back in and stayed. Though I did meet my wife of 43 years when I got out. Had a second chance to return to Active Duty in 1976 as a very young Sergeant First Class duty to being the Army Reservist of the year. SGM Kilpatrick our units Senior Active duty advisor was being transferred to FT. Polk LA as the Division Command SGM of the reactivated 4th Infantry Division. He wanted me to come with him as a Platoon Sergeant. My inlaws and father thought I'd have to move to much to raise a family properly. So I stayed in the Reserves and on the Railroad and ended up moving 13 times with the Rail Industry. Oh Well!!!
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IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
The Battle of Ripcord in Vietnam was the major turning point in my life. It answered my main question of whether I was a coward or not. It also tested every level of my endurance and fitness.
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OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
1st Inf. Div Fwd in Augsburg Germany. Spent all our spare time in Munich Germany and the Hofbrouhaus!
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Having to carry a dead buddy in a body bag for over 4 days till we could get to a secure LZ to get a helicopter in and remove the body. Medivac's would not risk hovering around Ripcord to remove bodies.
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
When all hell broke loose for Recon when walking point for the Battalion on its main assault, though the Lieutenant and I were both wounded, I was still able to call in airstrikes and communicate with attached Platoon from B Company that was supporting us to coordinate extraction from Valley we were pinned down in and retrieval of our dead and wounded. I was decorated for action.
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OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
| Purple Heart Medal |
Purple Heart, ouch. Forgot to duck!!!
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WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Lt. Victor Arndt, And Capt. Schaub. Trusted both men literally with my life.
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CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
My R&R to Bangkok Thailand with Harvey Reese. We ended up sharing the same double bed with a couple of girls and had a provacative picture taken to share with the guys back at the unit. And sent a copy home for a keepsake. When I got engaged to marry, my Dad tore picture up.
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WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
I began as a Police Officer in Chicago for the Penn Central Railroad. I moved into an Office Manager position on Conrail in 1976 and from there moved into my first Trainmaster position. Over the balance of my 35 year career, I was promoted multiple times into various Management positions and moved 13 time. I ultimately retired in Cleveland Ohio as a District Superintendent. After Retiring from the Railroad, I almost immediately went to work for First Energy as a Utility Forester which is the Degree I received. I was laid off after 5 years there and then worked as a Lifeguard at our Local Community center for @ a year. Now I am fully retired other than what I volunteer for at the VFW.
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WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
| VFW |
Disabled American Veterans (DAV); Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW); Quartermaster/Adutant; Military Oder of the Cootie, 101st Airborne Association; Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA); Purple Heart Association; Ripcord Assoc.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
Between St. John's Military Academy that I went to for most of my high school and my years in the Active or Reserve Army, any or all my success comes from the military discipline I received.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
Take the discipline you have learned in Military and apply throughout your life. Also staying in the Military if you have the opportunity is also a good and honorable option.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
| TWS and The US Army |
Started me thinking more about things again. *J*
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