The Janitor

In 1976 a promising guy named James Moschgat was in his third year at the U.S. Air Force Academy when, one night during his studies of World War II and the Allies’ bitter fighting in Italy, he was deeply immersed in a book about those who had actually won the battles. One name in particular seemed to jump from the book’s pages.
Cadet Moschgat read about an Army private who had later been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his valor. Suddenly the young officer-to-be bolted straight up, his eyes wide, and he asked his roommate if the old guy who was the janitor of the dorm – who all the future leaders barely noticed and only called “Bill” – could, in fact, be a man named William Crawford.

The book, you see, listed a William Crawford as having won “The Medal” and gave his last known address as Colorado Springs, Colo. The two quickly called others who were studying nearby and, as the young airmen carefully studied the facial features in a old picture of the “William Crawford” in the book, the whole wing was shocked. “Mortified” is a far better word.

Early the next day, when they spied “Bill” trudging their way with his buckets and his mop, they immediately confronted him. By now a huge throng of America’s best and brightest, its future jet pilots and military leaders, surrounded this humble man, one they had virtually ignored as he had scrubbed their toilets. “Yep, that’s me,” he said in a quiet, almost meek way.

“But why didn’t you ever tell us!” one cried and Bill Crawford sort of smiled and said, “That was one day in my life and it happened a long time ago…”

Do you think things changed a bit that very minute at the United State Air Force Academy? Oh, glory! Every cadet wanted to meet him. “Bill” became a deeply respected “Mister Crawford.” Oh, things changed like crazy that day. And William Crawford was … well, also “brought back to life” by the adoring, young airmen.

You see, in 1943 as a quiet, unasuming Army private in Italy, “Bill the Janitor” was on a routine scouting mission when he discovered three German machine-gun nests.

Here’s the way one account famously described what happened:
“Alone and unable to alert his fellow soldiers of the awaiting ambush, Crawford took matters into his own hands. He single-handedly engaged the enemy. With only his rifle and the grenades he had, Crawford destroyed all three enemy emplacements. As his company advanced, he volunteered to stay behind to aid a wounded friend only to be captured by enemy German troops.

“As a POW, Crawford endured 19 months in a Nazi prison camp. His hometown Golden Gloves experience came to the surface when he was put to the test and knocked out a Nazi guard during a fight. Back home his family had presumed Crawford was killed in action and his Medal of Honor was presented to his father posthumously.

“In 1945 his family rejoiced in his liberation from Germany and he returned to Colorado living a very humble life. After his Army retirement Crawford took a job as a custodian at the Air Force Academy and took on a special role (when he was ‘found out’ by Moschgat) befriending and mentoring the young cadets.

“One former cadet (that's right, James Moschgat), now an Air Force Colonel, has written "The Janitor's Ten Lessons In Leadership" which is now a mandatory reading for the entire Air Force.“

Yes, I know this is now “too long,” but what’s next is the best part. This is what you need to put in front of every child you know and beg them to read. Here is what Col. Moschgat calls “A Janitor’s Ten Lessons in Leadership:

1. BE CAUTIOUS OF LABELS: Labels you place on people may define your relationship to them and bound their potential. Sadly, and for a long time, we labeled Bill as 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 O-1, who says, "I can't do that, I'm just a lieutenant."

2. EVERYONE DESERVES RESPECT: Because we hung the "janitor" label on Mr. Crawford, we often wrongly treated him with less respect than others around us. He deserved much more, and not just because he was a Medal of Honor winner. Bill deserved respect 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 daily words to Mr. Crawford turned from perfunctory "hellos" to heartfelt greetings, his demeanor and personality outwardly 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 anyone's standard definition of a hero. Moreover, he was just a private on the day he won his Medal. Don't sell your 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 turn to your proven performers when the chips are down, but don't ignore the rest of the team. Today's rookie could and should be tomorrow's superstar.

6. LEADERS SHOULD BE HUMBLE: Most modern-day heroes and some 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. LIFE WON’T ALWAYS HAND YOU WHAT YOU THINK YOU DESERVE: We in the military work hard and, dang it, we deserve recognition, right? However, sometimes you just have to persevere, even when accolades don't come your way. Perhaps you weren't nominated for junior officer or airman of the quarter as you thought you should-don't let that stop you. Don't pursue glory; pursue excellence. Private Bill Crawford didn't pursue glory; he did his duty and then swept floors for a living.

8. NO JOB IS BENEATH THE LEADER: If Bill Crawford, a Medal of Honor winner, could clean latrines and smile, is there a 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: All too often we look to some school or PME class to teach us about leadership when, in fact, life is a leadership laboratory. Those you meet every day will teach you enduring lessons if you just take time to stop, look and listen. 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 of the people I remember most is Mr. Bill Crawford and the lessons he unknowingly taught. Don't miss your opportunity to learn.

NOTE: William Crawford, Medal of Honor winner, died at the age of 81 in 2000. James Moschgat was graduated and commissioned in June of 1977. On the day of graduation, he was given a firm handshake by the janitor and told proudly, “Good luck, young man.” Col. Moschgat is today the 12th Operations Group Commander in - to use a bit of poetic license - the Air Force of the United States of America.

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