Freedom Fighters: Lt. Col. Tom Crawford: - KLTV.com-Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville, Texas | ETX News

Freedom Fighters: Lt. Col. Tom Crawford:

Posted: Updated:
EAST TEXAS (KLTV) -

By Joan Hallmark

Thomas Crawford arrived in Okinowa just as World War Two ended, but in 1950 he was called back to active duty and sent to Korea.

It was during a mortar attack that Crawford was wounded. Crawford was to receive a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service in Korea. But war was not over for Crawford.  He was among the first American troops sent to Vietnam.  After 25 years in the Army, Crawford retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. 

At the age of 85, he suffers from a range of health problems attributed to his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

Copyright 2012 KLTV. All rights reserved.