Winfred Crowe was born in 1940 in Buford, Georgia. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on February 26, 1959, and graduated from basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, in May 1959. Pvt Crowe next attended Infantry Training at Fort Benning from May to July 1959, followed by service as a machine gunner with Company B, 1st Brigade of the 15th Infantry Regiment in West Germany from September 1959 to January 1961. His next assignment was as a machine gunner with Headquarters Company of the 1st Infantry Brigade at Fort Benning from February to August 1961, and then as a section leader with the 823rd Ordnance Company at Savanna, Illinois, from August 1961 to August 1962. Sgt Crowe served as a team leader with Company D, 2nd Brigade of the 4th Cavalry Regiment in South Korea from August 1962 to September 1963, followed by service as a squad leader with Company B and then as a team leader with Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion of the 61st Infantry Regiment at Fort Carson, Colorado, from October 1963 to October 1965. His next assignment was as a team leader with Company A, 1st Battalion of the 15th Infantry Regiment in West Germany from October 1965 to August 1967, and then as a light weapons infantry advisor with the U.S. Military Assistance Command in South Vietnam from August 1967 until he was captured in Cambodia and taken as a Prisoner of War while serving aboard the landing craft LCU-1577 on July 17, 1968. After spending 156 days in captivity, PSG Crowe was released by his Cambodian captors on December 19, 1968. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at Walter Reed General Hospital and then at Fort Benning from December 1968 to February 1969, and then served as a senior instructor at the Infantry Center and School at Fort Benning from February 1969 to January 1970. He then returned to Southeast Asia, where he served as an Operations Intelligence Advisor with the U.S. Military Assistance Command in South Vietnam from January 1970 to January 1971. His next assignment was as a Platoon Sergeant, Training NCO, and then Senior Training NCO with the U.S. Army Southeastern Signal School Center at Fort Gordon, Georgia, from February 1971 to November 1973, and then as a Platoon Sergeant with Company A, 1st Battalion of the 502nd Infantry Regiment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, from November 1973 to September 1974. 1SG Crowe served as First Sergeant of Company B, 1st Battalion of the 502nd Infantry Regiment at Fort Campbell from September 1974 to October 1975, followed by service as Intelligence Sergeant with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion of the 502nd from October 1975 to January 1976. His next assignment was as First Sergeant of Company A, 1st Battalion of the 502nd Infantry Regiment from January 1976 to January 1977, and he then attended the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas, from January to July 1977. 1SG Crowe served as First Sergeant of Company C, 1st Battalion of the 21st Infantry Regiment at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, from August 1977 to April 1978, and as Operations Sergeant for 2nd Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks from April to October 1978. His next assignment was as Command Sergeant Major for 1st Battalion of the 21st Infantry Regiment from October 1978 to July 1980, followed by service as Command Sergeant Major of 6th Battalion of the U.S. Army Training Center at Fort Benning from August 1980 until his retirement from the Army on November 1, 1983.

His Bronze Star Medal Citation reads:

For distinguishing himself by meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force during the period January 1970 to December 1970 while serving as Operations and Intelligence Advisor, Tan Tru District, Long An Province, Republic of Vietnam. A competent advisor with unique qualities of practical experience and driving determination, Sergeant CROWE was instrumental in achieving significant improvements in the effectiveness of Vietnamese forces which he assisted. His sound advice to American field advisors and to their Vietnamese counterparts resulted in significant improvements in defensive fortifications, operational techniques and planning for combined operations. Exhibiting sound judgement, integrity and stamina under conditions of stress and hardship, he contributed immeasurably to the operational effectiveness and mission accomplishment of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces. Sergeant First Class CROWE's performance of duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.