William J. Crum

William John Crum (24 June 19185 February 1977) was an American businessman who was involved in black market operations in South Korea and South Vietnam and became known as the “money king of Vietnam.” He was a key figure in the United States Senate investigation in 1971 into fraud and corruption in the management of military club systems known as the PX Scandal.

Early life He was born in Shanghai, China on 24 June 1918 to American parents. His father was a navigator on the Yangtze River, while his mother was born in Hyfang, China. His younger brother, Whitney I. Crum was born in Shanghai in 1922. In 1935 his family moved to the United States and he attended Beverly Hills High School and the San Rafael Military Academy.

Business After working odd jobs, Crum joined the Merchant Marine and returned to the Orient. In 1946 he was a freight solicitor for American President Lines in Shanghai, but was reportedly fired for dealing in U.S. currency in the black market. He later operated a radio station, XMHA in Shanghai and was married to his second wife, Russian Tantina Antonia Andrews. The Senate described Crum as "one of the most powerful, most corrupt and most corrupting vendors in Vietnam during the years of the massive American military presence." He was also described as the "single most powerful American businessman in Vietnam during the period from 1965 through 1970," adopting the same modus operandi as he had used in South Korea.

The Senate investigation concluded that Crum's Vietnam business was worth in excess of $40 million.

Crum's business in South Vietnam continued until December 1970 when the Senate investigation began. Crum denied the charges against him saying "It's an out‐and‐out lie," and called Bybee "an extremely vindictive man."

Death He died in a fire at his apartment in Hong Kong on 5 February 1977.