A section of U.S. Highway 105, from County Line Road in Palmer Lake to east of the Monument Town Hall in Monument, Colo., has been renamed ìMedal of Honor MSG William J. Crawford Memorial Highway.îMSG William J. Crawford is one of four Medal of Honor recipients from Pueblo, Colo., where he was born. Crawford is a legendary World War II hero. During the war, Crawford was taken prisoner by the Germans. He was later reported missing and presumed dead by the U.S. Army.In May 1945 Crawfordís father accepted the Medal of Honor given to his son posthumously.Two months later, it was discovered that Crawford was alive in a German prisoner of war camp. Crawford had even survived a 52-day, 500-mile march that took place in the winter.Following the war, Crawford married and moved to Palmer Lake, Colo. He was active in many organizations, including the Kiwanis Club and the Palmer Lake Historical Society.On May 31, 1984, President Ronald Reagan presented the Medal of Honor to a ìlivingî Crawford at the U.S. Air Force Academy.*Crawford just happens to be the great-uncle of The Windshield Guy and co-owner of The New Falcon Herald, John Barrette!
