Colonel Bruce Perry Crandall

February 17, 1933 – May 31, 2026

Colonel Bruce Perry Crandall, United States Army (Retired), Medal of Honor recipient, devoted father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, mentor, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 31st, 2026 at the age of 93.

To many around the world, Bruce Crandall was an American hero whose courage under fire became part of military history.

To his family, he was Dad, Grandpa, brother, and great-grandfather.

Bruce lived a life defined by service, loyalty, humility, and unwavering commitment to others. He believed deeply in duty—to country, to family, and to the people entrusted to his care. Those values guided him throughout his extraordinary life and shaped the legacy he leaves behind.

Born in Olympia, Washington, on February 17, 1933, Bruce grew up with an adventurous spirit, determination, and a strong work ethic that would define his life. After attending the University of Washington, he entered military service and began a distinguished Army career that would ultimately inspire generations.

As an Army aviator during the Vietnam War, then-Major Bruce Crandall demonstrated extraordinary courage on November 14, 1965, during the Battle of Ia Drang. Flying repeated missions into intense enemy fire after medical evacuation aircraft could no longer safely enter the battlefield, he delivered ammunition and evacuated wounded soldiers, actions that saved countless lives. More than forty years later, in 2007, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military recognition for valor.

After retiring from the military he pursued a second career in Public Service where he was the Director of Public Works for the city of Mesa, Arizona. As a child of the depression era working class he was proud to have been part of the team that convinced Hughes Helicopters (now Boeing) to locate its Apache manufacturing facility in Mesa creating over 5,000 direct jobs.

Yet recognition never defined him.

Bruce remained grounded, humble, and profoundly loyal to those he served beside. He dedicated countless hours in later years to veterans, military families, students, and communities across the country, ensuring that stories of service and sacrifice would endure. He carried lifelong bonds with fellow soldiers and believed deeply in honoring those who stood beside him.

Bruce’s service and the experiences of the soldiers who fought beside him became known to millions through We Were Soldiers Once… and Young, the landmark account of the Battle of Ia Drang by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore and Joseph L. Galloway, and later through the major motion picture We Were Soldiers, in which actor Greg Kinnear portrayed Bruce. Though recognized publicly and portrayed on screen, Bruce remained characteristically humble. He often redirected attention away from himself and toward the men with whom he served, believing deeply that their shared sacrifice—not individual recognition—was the story that mattered most.

He shared a lifelong partnership with his beloved wife, Arlene, whose love, strength, and partnership shaped every chapter of his life. Their marriage was built on devotion, resilience, laughter, and an enduring commitment to one another through every season of life. Her passing left an absence he carried quietly, faithfully, and with enduring love.

Bruce also carried the profound loss of his grandson, Bruce II, whose memory remained close to his heart.

Bruce is survived by his sons, Robert Crandall, Steve Crandall, Mike Crandall and their spouses; his grandchildren, Rebekah, Jessica, Luke, and Andrew; his great-grandchildren, Abigail and Christopher, sister Tauna Clausen, extended family members; fellow veterans; and countless friends and admirers whose lives were changed by his example.

Those closest to Bruce knew him not simply as a decorated soldier, but as a father whose example shaped generations, a grandfather whose pride in his family was unmistakable, and a great-grandfather whose quiet acts of character often spoke louder than his many accomplishments.

He taught resilience without demanding recognition, leadership without seeking status, and courage without seeking praise.

Together, Bruce and Arlene believed deeply in courage—not only on the battlefield, but in everyday life. Their commitment to character, compassion, and standing up for others continues through the Bruce and Arlene Crandall Social Courage Award, which recognizes individuals whose actions demonstrate moral courage, integrity, and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. The award reflects values they lived every day: humility, service, perseverance, and the willingness to do what is right, even when it is difficult.

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers, the family invites those wishing to honor Bruce’s memory to consider a contribution supporting the Bruce and Arlene Crandall Social Courage Award and its mission of recognizing and encouraging acts of courage, character, and service in communities and future generations.