Oliver R Crawford
Encyclopedia
Oliver "Ollie" Ray Crawford (born July 19, 1925) is one of America’s foremost advocates for a strong and modern United States Air Force.
aircraft flying over his hometown early in World War II
. At age 17, he volunteered to become an aviation student and began military training at Buckley Field, Colorado after turning 18. Crawford completed fighter pilot training at Luke Field
, Arizona, and on 15 April 1945 earned his wings and commission. He next transitioned to the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk four months before WWII
ended. In 1946, Crawford was released from active duty, but remained in the reserves for 13 years. His duties included flight instructor at Tinker Field
, Oklahoma.
and F-28
. In 1974, he started TECOM, Inc. a Department of Defense contractor. In 1981, he founded two new companies, Crawford Technical Services and CTS Nevada. A charter member of the Air Force Association
(AFA), the Air Force nominated Crawford for the Elder Statesman of Aviation Award in both 1987 and 1988. He was awarded its highest tribute when named "Man of the Year" in 1989. In 1990, he was elected President of AFA. He formed the Air Force Memorial Foundation, instituted an AFA recognition program for members of Congress who supported a strong national defense, and another for executives from the aerospace industry. In 1992, Crawford received the Air Force’s Exceptional Service Award for his contributions to defense. Key to this award was the AFA role in the education of members of Congress on stealth technology. Internationally, West Germany awarded him its highest civilian honor, the Commander’s Cross of The Order of Merit.
(AVG), the "Flying Tigers
," during World War II. The Air Force presented the Presidential Unit Citation to the AVG in 1992. In 1996, AVG pilots received the Distinguished Flying Cross
and all other Flying Tigers
were awarded the Bronze Star
.
Foundation and a trustee of the Falcon Foundation of the Air Force Academy
. Crawford and his wife, Nancy, live near San Antonio Texas.
In 2009, Crawford became the oldest person to receive a high-flight in the Lockheed U-2
Dragon Lady. After receiving training on the use of a pressure suit and experiencing the decompression chamber at Beale Air Force Base
in California, Crawford reached an altitude of over 60,000 feet on his U-2 flight.
Early years
Crawford’s desire to fly was whetted by Army Air CorpsUnited States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
aircraft flying over his hometown early in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. At age 17, he volunteered to become an aviation student and began military training at Buckley Field, Colorado after turning 18. Crawford completed fighter pilot training at Luke Field
Luke Air Force Base
Luke Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located seven miles west of the central business district of Glendale, in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. It is also about west of Phoenix, Arizona....
, Arizona, and on 15 April 1945 earned his wings and commission. He next transitioned to the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk four months before WWII
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
ended. In 1946, Crawford was released from active duty, but remained in the reserves for 13 years. His duties included flight instructor at Tinker Field
Tinker Air Force Base
Tinker Air Force Base is a major U.S. Air Force base, with tenant U.S. Navy and other Department of Defense missions, located in the southeast Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area, directly south of the suburb of Midwest City, Oklahoma.-Overview:...
, Oklahoma.
Work in Industry
He attended South Texas University of Law and later became associated with Time, Inc. Crawford was an officer and director of several companies owned by the corporation. He flew many company aircraft from the Douglas DC-3 to the Fokker F-27Fokker F27
The Fokker F27 Friendship is a turboprop airliner designed and built by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.-Design and development:Design of the Fokker F27 started in the 1950s as a replacement to the successful Douglas DC-3 airliner...
and F-28
Fokker F28
The Fokker F28 Fellowship is a short range jet airliner designed and built by defunct Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.-Design and development:...
. In 1974, he started TECOM, Inc. a Department of Defense contractor. In 1981, he founded two new companies, Crawford Technical Services and CTS Nevada. A charter member of the Air Force Association
Air Force Association
The Air Force Association is an independent, 501 non-profit, civilian education organization, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia...
(AFA), the Air Force nominated Crawford for the Elder Statesman of Aviation Award in both 1987 and 1988. He was awarded its highest tribute when named "Man of the Year" in 1989. In 1990, he was elected President of AFA. He formed the Air Force Memorial Foundation, instituted an AFA recognition program for members of Congress who supported a strong national defense, and another for executives from the aerospace industry. In 1992, Crawford received the Air Force’s Exceptional Service Award for his contributions to defense. Key to this award was the AFA role in the education of members of Congress on stealth technology. Internationally, West Germany awarded him its highest civilian honor, the Commander’s Cross of The Order of Merit.
AVG Recognition
Crawford convinced the USAF to officially recognize the contributions made by the American Volunteer GroupAmerican Volunteer Group
The American Volunteer Groups were volunteer air units organized by the United States government to aid the Nationalist government of China against Japan in the Second Sino-Japanese War...
(AVG), the "Flying Tigers
Flying Tigers
The 1st American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force in 1941–1942, famously nicknamed the Flying Tigers, was composed of pilots from the United States Army , Navy , and Marine Corps , recruited under presidential sanction and commanded by Claire Lee Chennault. The ground crew and headquarters...
," during World War II. The Air Force presented the Presidential Unit Citation to the AVG in 1992. In 1996, AVG pilots received the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
and all other Flying Tigers
Flying Tigers
The 1st American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force in 1941–1942, famously nicknamed the Flying Tigers, was composed of pilots from the United States Army , Navy , and Marine Corps , recruited under presidential sanction and commanded by Claire Lee Chennault. The ground crew and headquarters...
were awarded the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
.
Further Work
In addition to his accomplishments as a business and civic leader, Crawford has flown nearly 100 types of civilian aircraft and has more than 13,000 hours in his log books. He is the only P-40 pilot from World War II who until recently, was still piloting the Commemorative Air Force's P-40 Warhawk in airshows. He is vice chairman of the Air Force MemorialUnited States Air Force Memorial
The United States Air Force Memorial honors the service of the personnel of the United States Air Force and its predecessors. The Memorial is located in Arlington, Virginia, on the grounds of Fort Myer near The Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery, at the intersection of Columbia Pike and...
Foundation and a trustee of the Falcon Foundation of the Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
. Crawford and his wife, Nancy, live near San Antonio Texas.
In 2009, Crawford became the oldest person to receive a high-flight in the Lockheed U-2
Lockheed U-2
The Lockheed U-2, nicknamed "Dragon Lady", is a single-engine, very high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft operated by the United States Air Force and previously flown by the Central Intelligence Agency . It provides day and night, very high-altitude , all-weather intelligence gathering...
Dragon Lady. After receiving training on the use of a pressure suit and experiencing the decompression chamber at Beale Air Force Base
Beale Air Force Base
Beale Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately east of Marysville, California. Originally known as Camp Beale....
in California, Crawford reached an altitude of over 60,000 feet on his U-2 flight.