Arlington, Texas – It is with a heavy heart that the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation (NMOHMF) offers the following statement on the passing of Colonel Bruce P. Crandall, who earned the Medal of Honor as a daring helicopter pilot in Vietnam and was a strong supporter of the National Medal of Honor Museum. Despite coming under heavy fire while transporting troops to Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley, then-Major Crandall – with complete disregard for his own personal safety – took it upon himself to return to the landing zone to evacuate the wounded and resupply ground forces. He flew into and out of the landing zone throughout the day and into the evening, completing a total of 22 flights, most under intense enemy fire. Alongside his wingman, fellow Medal of Honor Recipient Major Ed Freeman, Col. Crandall rescued 70 wounded soldiers. With his passing there are only 63 living recipients. 

“Bruce Perry Crandall was a great American who answered his country's call to service and went above and beyond for others. In uniform, Crandall flew a transport Huey (a ‘slick’) in the first large-scale helicopter air assault in history. For his incredible leadership and courage under fire on November 14, 1965, he later received the Medal of Honor. Crandall continued serving his whole life, to the age of 93, sharing his hard-earned lessons with others,” said Cory Crowley, National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation Executive Vice President. “Bruce loved the National Medal of Honor Museum. He and his dog ‘Huey’ were there when we announced the Museum would be built in Arlington, Texas. They were there when we broke ground in 2022. And Bruce and Huey were there as the ribbon was cut at Grand Opening last year. We are so grateful that we got to share those moments with him before he passed. While Bruce may be gone, his legacy of service and sacrifice will live on through this Museum, inspiring America and generations to come.” 

His full Medal of Honor citation can be found here and reads as follows: 

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: Major Bruce P. Crandall distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism as a Flight Commander in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). On 14 November 1965, his flight of sixteen helicopters was lifting troops for a search and destroy mission from Plei Me, Vietnam, to Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley. On the fourth troop lift, the airlift began to take enemy fire, and by the time the aircraft had refueled and returned for the next troop lift, the enemy had Landing Zone X-Ray targeted. As Major Crandall and the first eight helicopters landed to discharge troops on his fifth troop lift, his unarmed helicopter came under such intense enemy fire that the ground commander ordered the second flight of eight aircraft to abort their mission. As Major Crandall flew back to Plei Me, his base of operations, he determined that the ground commander of the besieged infantry battalion desperately needed more ammunition. Major Crandall then decided to adjust his base of operations to Artillery Firebase Falcon in order to shorten the flight distance to deliver ammunition and evacuate wounded soldiers. While medical evacuation was not his mission, he immediately sought volunteers and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, led the two aircraft to Landing Zone X-Ray. Despite the fact that the landing zone was still under relentless enemy fire, Major Crandall landed and proceeded to supervise the loading of seriously wounded soldiers aboard his aircraft. Major Crandall’s voluntary decision to land under the most extreme fire instilled in the other pilots the will and spirit to continue to land their own aircraft, and in the ground forces the realization that they would be resupplied and that friendly wounded would be promptly evacuated. This greatly enhanced morale and the will to fight at a critical time. After his first medical evacuation, Major Crandall continued to fly into and out of the landing zone throughout the day and into the evening. That day he completed a total of 22 flights, most under intense enemy fire, retiring from the battlefield only after all possible service had been rendered to the Infantry battalion. His actions provided critical resupply of ammunition and evacuation of the wounded. Major Crandall’s daring acts of bravery and courage in the face of an overwhelming and determined enemy are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. 

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About the National Medal of Honor Museum, Monument and Griffin Institute  

The National Medal of Honor Museum, Monument and Griffin Institute is inspiring individuals by honoring and preserving the history of the highest military decoration awarded for valor in combat.  

The Museum, which opened on March 25, 2025, and was voted as the Best New Museum in America and one of the world’s most beautiful museums, serves as a national landmark located in America’s heartland in Arlington, Texas, and provides an unrivaled, interactive visitor experience that commemorates the historical thread of sacrifice, patriotism, and courage that connects members of the United States military service past and present. It is the Museum’s mission to tell the stories of Medal of Honor recipients in a dynamic and interactive setting that will inspire visitors to recognize the potential for the extraordinary that resides in us all.    

Through dynamic and far-reaching curriculum and programming, the National Medal of Honor Griffin Institute is bringing to life the core values inherent to the Medal of Honor in classrooms, boardrooms, and communities around the country.  

In 2021, The National Medal of Honor Monument Act was signed into law, paving the way for the monument’s placement in Washington, D.C. Soon, Americans and visitors of every nation will have the opportunity to reflect on the values represented by those whose selfless and courageous actions have served to safeguard freedom and democracy the world over.  

For more information please visit the National Medal of Honor Museum website or follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.