Page 6 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, August 2019

August 2019 news Thunderbolt
Oliver Ray Crawford:
Fierce AF advocate dies at 94
6
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Cinderella’s Closet at Luke receives gowns in time for Air Force Ball
by Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
ARLINGTON, Va. — Oliver Ray Crawford, who earned his wings and commission in the fading days of World War II and became a fierce and effective advocate for the Air Force for decades to come, died July 20 in San Antonio. He was 94.
While Crawford did not see combat in World War II, his bonds to aviation and to what would become the U.S. Air Force formed early and were un- breakable.
A lawyer who spent 13 years in the Air Force Reserves, Crawford was a charter member of the Air Force As- sociation. In 1989, he was named the organization’s Man of the Year and went on to serve as AFA president for two years in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Following his tenure as presi- dent, Crawford served two additional years as chair of the AFA board.
In 1992, the Air Force officially rec- ognized his work by awarding him the Exceptional Service Award. The award highlighted his work on Capitol Hill to gain support for stealth technology, among other efforts.
“Ollie was a larger than life guy who had boundless energy to improve the U.S. Air Force for generations of Air-
men who would serve after him,” said Matthew Donovan, acting secretary of the Air Force. “He will forever be remembered by the Air Force, and my deepest condolences to his friends and family.”
While not widely known outside of the Air Force community, the results of Crawford’s work and advocacy are both permanent and visible. Crawford was a driving force in creating the Air Force Memorial Foundation, which ultimately led to the construction of the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.
“Ollie was a great American — an aviator, leader and statesman,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein. “He was truly an original and a pioneer of our time. We send our thoughts and prayers to his family and those who knew him. We will continue doing our part to keep his legacy alive with a strong and ready Air Force.”
Threaded throughout all those years of advocacy was flying. Crawford ultimately accumulated more than 13,000 hours in more than 100 aircraft. Among them was a U-2, which came when he was 84 years old, making him the oldest person to receive a flight in the high-altitude surveillance plane.
Members of the Piestewa Peak Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, donated more than 40 new or gently used formal dresses, plus dozens of shoes, purses and other accessories, to Cin- derella’s Closet at Luke Air Force Base July 25.
The dresses will be available to check out at Cinderella’s Closet, lo- cated inside the Thrift Shop/Airman’s Attic, by Airmen and their families for formal events such as the Air Force Ball, proms, award ceremonies, retirements, and other events that require formal attire. The Thrift Shop/ Airman’s Attic is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. For more information, visit “Luke AFB Thrift Shop Airman’s Attic” on Facebook.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education and patrio- tism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolution- ary War.
Piestewa Peak Chapter is one of Arizona’s 41 active DAR chapters. It was chartered on Oct. 8, 2016, in north Scottsdale.
Courtesy photo
Jessica Edwards, president of Luke Spouses’ Club, Judy Smith, and Sandy Raynor of DAR check out dress donations.
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