In Memoriam

in memorium
Susan Homola, Aug 23, 2007 - 08:09 AM

He was the best brother anyone could have asked for, and he died doing what he loved the most.

Dana Caglia Pratt, Feb 21, 2008 - 06:52 AM

Mikey was a great friend, he was loved by our whole family and is deeply missed.

20 Years
Joe Gello Jr, Jun 08, 2008 - 05:25 PM

Mike was a great cousin and i cant believe its been almost 20 years. And I agree with Susan his sister he died doing what he loved the most.

Anthony Gallo and family, Jun 29, 2008 - 11:42 PM Michael was a great nephew, he was like a brother to me. May his memories always live on, how he loved his country, and family may the generations followin his wayside.Always loved and remembered<3. F-16 forever.

I was his Crew Chief and Friend
Walt Chamberlain, May 24, 2010 - 07:23 PM

http://luckyaviation.blogspot.com/2008/05/captain-michael-crandall-usaf.html

In Memory
C. B. Montgomery, Aug 27, 2010 - 06:58 PM

I never researched Mike until the VA shrinks started talking to me about the crash. I was the Community Fire Marshal for Mainz at the time and the first military to arrive at the scene. The memory of that day is engraved in my mind. I think about it every day and sometimes re-live it in my dreams at night. My heart goes out to Mike's family and friends. May God bless them.

Susan Homola, Nov 18, 2010 - 05:01 PM

Our family was shown a lot of kindness in the wake of the accident. I joined the AF a couple of years after and always wished I could have served with my brother. However, I was also very grateful for the opportunity to serve with some of his former squadron mates and associates, and to hear their stories. It will always mean a lot to our family to know Michael's friends and peers thought he was just as special as we all knew him to be. Thank you.

Mike Crandall
Jodi, Mar 04, 2011 - 04:54 PM

Mike was my high school boyfriend in Burlington, Mass. I think about him often and will remember him always. I hope his family is well

I was in Mike's Basic Training Element at USAFA
Jay Armstrong, Nov 04, 2012 - 06:52 PM

Mike was such a great guy! In basic training in 1975 at the USAF Academy, I was in Mike's element (A1) in 'C' (Cobra) squadron. After basic, our element went to 37th Squadron and we were 'doolies' for our freshman year in 37th.

During basic, our element started with 12, but 3 dropped out. During 'Field Day', one of our guys was injured, so we competed in the 8-man log carry without any substitutes and took 2nd place out of over 100 elements. The winning team was comprised of big guys selected from 12 elements in their squadron. Just an example of what teamwork and hard work can do -- that's what Mike was all about.

Mke joined the precision rifle drill team. Unlike most other drill teams, the AF Academy team used real M-1 (heavy) rifles with a metal rod welded inside the barrel. They did not use lightweight, dummy 'parade' rifles. Their precision throws were spectacular and dangerous. They won many awards. Not surprising that Mike was on that team. If you've seen the beginning of 'A Few Good Men' with the Marine rifle team, know this: Mike and their team were better.

More important, Mike was honest and joyful. I would trust him with anything.

Mike, you set a great example and you are missed.

Anonymous, Mar 28, 2013 - 10:39 PM

Happy Birthday Mike

Mikey
Walt Chamberlain, Jul 21, 2014 - 02:48 AM

Miss you Mikey.

A Great Man
Tom Brother, Feb 05, 2015 - 02:32 AM

I was Mike's instructor pilot in UPT. He was my first student and he was a great human as well as a great pilot.

About 10 years after the accident, I had a chance meeting with his Grandmother at the airport in Boston, if I remember right. I was flying for Delta at the time. It is one of the most powerful memories of my life.

I was very lucky to have met Mike and I hope his family is doing well.

Tom

Airman who drove family at funeral
Jeff Gregory, May 31, 2016 - 10:49 PM

Hahn was my first duty station out of basic training. I was working protocol for the transportation squadron. I was finishing up my 2 year tour when I was asked to drive at the funeral. I did not realize at first that I was driving the family of Captain Crandall. I was so impressed with the strength of his wife and family. And was amazed of the kindness shown to me at the wake. They spoke volumes of the family. I prayed for the family that day and for many months after the accident. I stumbled across this webpage, and will now lift the family up in prayer again.

Thank You
Susan Homola, Jul 15, 2016 - 05:44 AM

Dear Jeff,

Thank you for your prayers. To know that after all this time you still think about my brother and my family is very touching. It is a true gift, and it is very appreciated. Being a part of military life is amazing because of people like you. Thank you for remembering my brother.

my fathers loyal helper in every trouble
Leonie Rudolf, Feb 01, 2018 - 09:44 PM

Dear family from Mike,

I stumbled upon this page searching for any information about michael's family and I still cannot believe that I found this memoriam page...

I grew up in Nackenheim, right next to the field were the plane crash happened 30 years ago. And for as long as I can remember, everytime we took a family trip, we passed that gravestone with Michael's Name on it that is still there on the field. I was not born yet when the crash happened, my parents had just moved there, but my father always told me, about that two american airplanes that went down that day.

And the reason I'm writing you here is, that, for my father, Mike's gravestone has become a place of peace and a place to go when he is in trouble. Last month he told me for the first time, that he has been looking for a telephone number or an adress of mike's parents for over a decade just to say "thank you" for having such a son, who, even after his death, still gives him so much peace and who's gravestone became a save haven for him. Mike was born just one year before him and he always thinks about what kind of life he would have now.

So I told him that I would help him find out his parents adress so that he can send a letter to them and express his gratitude. And you cannot imagine how relieving it is to finally find this webpage. Please contact me anytime: Leonie-Rudolf@t-online.de

I know, this year it's gonna be 30 years. And I knew Michael only for the gravestone on our field, but it is so wonderful to read all the comments of people who knew him in person. Thank you for that!