Charles Hugh Crawford

Hospitalman Third Class Charles H. Crawford, United States Navy, killed in action in Quang Tri Province on 29 May 1967, was the posthumous recipient of the Navy Cross, Silver Star, and Purple Heart medals. CITATION FOR AWARD OF THE NAVY CROSS TO HOSPITALMAN THIRD CLASS CHARLES HUGH CRAWFORD For extraordinary heroism on 29 May 1967 while serving as a corpsman with Company "M", Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, Third Marine Division, during Operation PRAIRIE IV against elements of the North Vietnamese Army in Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam. While attacking the heavily fortified enemy bunker complex on Hill 174, the lead elements of Company "M" were pinned down by a heavy volume of automatic-weapons fire delivered from well-prepared enemy positions, and sustained numerous Marine casualties in the initial stage of the battle. Despite the concentrated fire which made it virtually impossible to reach the wounded who were trapped only a few feet from the main enemy bunker, Petty Officer Crawford immediately ran through the deadly hail of enemy fire to reach his injured comrades. After administering first aid to the most seriously wounded Marine, and while moving the casualty to a relatively safe area, Petty Officer Crawford himself was fatally wounded. Through his fearless courage and uncommon concern for his comrades, he inspired the other Marines, and undoubtedly saved the life of the wounded Marine he treated. Petty Officer Crawford's daring actions and unswerving devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. A memorial initiated by his cousin, Gene Hansbauer GHansbauer@aol.com   24 Apr 2002

31 Aug 2002 After 35 years, I haven't lived one day without remembering HM3 Crawford. I was his platoon leader on the day he was killed. Never has any person impacted me the way his memory has. He was the best Corpsman anyone would want and the best person as a friend you would want to have. My respect for Corpsman has always been very high because of him. From his friend and platoon leader, James (Jim) Kight 116 Gettysburg Dr, Pensacola, FL 32503 kightad@earthlink.net

Visit John Dennison's Medics on the Wall memorial which honors the Army Medics and Navy Corpsmen who died in Vietnam.

The point-of-contact for this memorial is his cousin, Gene Hansbauer ghansbauer@aol.com  25 Apr 2002

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Channing Prothro, former CAP Marine
Last updated 09/01/2002