LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Command Sergeant Major Joel D. Crawford
for his distinguished service to the United States Army Garrison West
Point, West Point, New York

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who
have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this country's
freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace in peace-
time, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Command
Sergeant Major Joel D. Crawford for his distinguished service to the
United States Army Garrison West Point, West Point, New York, to be
observed at a Change of Command Ceremony on Thursday, July 7, 2016, in
the Eisenhower Hall Theatre, United States Military Academy, West Point,
New York; and
WHEREAS, A native of Clinton, South Carolina, Joel D. Crawford joined
the South Carolina National Guard while still in high school in April of
1986; he attended Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training
at Fort Jackson, South Carolina; and
WHEREAS, After graduating as a Light Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic (MOS
63B) in March of 1987, Joel D. Crawford entered the United States Army
in March of 1990; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his meritorious military career, Command Sergeant
Major Joel D. Crawford was assigned to numerous divisions including the
3rd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment, Corp Artillery at Fort
Bragg, North Carolina; HSC, 2nd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort
Bragg; 3rd Battalion, 73rd Armor Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort
Bragg; B Company, 82nd Signal Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort
Bragg; D Company 122nd Signal Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Red
Cloud Korea; Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron 17th Cavalry Regiment,
82nd Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg; and Delta
Aviation Maintenance Company (D-AMC), 82nd Aviation Brigade, 82nd
Airborne Division, Fort Bragg; as well as HSC, 82nd Aviation Brigade,
82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Command Sergeant Major Joel D. Crawford is
assigned to 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 159th CAB, 101st
Airborne Division (Air Assault) Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Group Support
Battalion (GSB) 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Eglin Air Force
Base, Florida; and United States Army Garrison West Point, West Point,
New York; and
WHEREAS, Command Sergeant Major Joel D. Crawford has served at multi-
ple levels, from a Light Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic to Command Sergeant
Major; additionally, he has held the title of Squad Leader, Senior
Mechanic, Motor Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, and First Sergeant; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure in the United States Army, Command
Sergeant Major Joel D. Crawford deployed to Operation Desert
Shield/Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia; Operation Uphold/Maintain Democracy
in Haiti; Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom XIV,
XVI, and XVIII; and
WHEREAS, Command Sergeant Major Joel D. Crawford graduated from the
Airborne School and Jumpmaster School, and successfully completed the
Primary Leadership Development Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Offi-
cer's Course, the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer's Course, United
States Sergeants Major Academy Class No. 59, Master Jumpmaster Course,
and the Combat Life Savers Course; and
WHEREAS, For his meritorious service to his country, Command Sergeant
Major Crawford was the recipient of numerous awards and decorations
including the Legion of Merit Medal, Bronze Star Medal with five oak

leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit
Award, Meritorious Unit Award, Superior Unit Award, Army Commendation
Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with six oak
leaf clusters, six Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal,
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Campaign Medal, Afghan-
istan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Expedi-
tionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Korea Defense Service
Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, four
Noncommissioned Officer Development Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, Over-
seas Service Ribbon, United Nations Medal (Haiti), NATO Medal (Afghanis-
tan), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal
(Kuwait), and Master Parachutist Badge, as well as the Mechanic/Drivers
Badge; and
WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which individuals, such as Command Sergeant Major Joel D. Crawford
have served their country, and must recognize that no greater debt is
owed than that owed to those who have risked their lives for their
beloved Nation; and
WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Command Sergeant Major Joel D. Crawford has demonstrated his love for
his country and merits forevermore, the highest respect of his State and
Nation; and
WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended and
thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and for
their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Command Sergeant Major Joel D. Crawford for his distinguished
service to the United States Army Garrison West Point, West Point, New
York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Command Sergeant Major Joel D. Crawford.