Medal of Honor citation
Michael J. Crescenz
Rank and Organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company A, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division.
Place and date: Hiep Duc Valley area, Republic of Vietnam, November 20, 1968.
Entered service at: Philadelphia, PA.
Born: January 14, 1949, Philadelphia, Pa.
The President of the United States in the name of the Congress of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
MICHAEL JOSEPH CRESCENZ
Corporal, Army of the United States
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
Cpl. Crescenz distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a rifleman with Company A. In the morning his unit engaged a large, well-entrenched force of the North Vietnamese Army whose initial burst of fire pinned down the lead squad and killed the 2 point men, halting the advance of Company A. Immediately, Cpl. Crescenz left the relative safety of his own position, seized a nearby machine gun and, with complete disregard for his safety, charged 100 meters up a slope toward the enemy's bunkers which he effectively silenced, killing the 2 occupants of each. Undaunted by the withering machine gun fire around him, Cpl. Crescenz courageously moved forward toward a third bunker which he also succeeded in silencing, killing 2 more of the enemy and momentarily clearing the route of advance for his comrades.
Michael J. Crescenz
Rank and Organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company A, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division.
Place and date: Hiep Duc Valley area, Republic of Vietnam, November 20, 1968.
Entered service at: Philadelphia, PA.
Born: January 14, 1949, Philadelphia, Pa.
The President of the United States in the name of the Congress of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
MICHAEL JOSEPH CRESCENZ
Corporal, Army of the United States
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
Cpl. Crescenz distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a rifleman with Company A. In the morning his unit engaged a large, well-entrenched force of the North Vietnamese Army whose initial burst of fire pinned down the lead squad and killed the 2 point men, halting the advance of Company A. Immediately, Cpl. Crescenz left the relative safety of his own position, seized a nearby machine gun and, with complete disregard for his safety, charged 100 meters up a slope toward the enemy's bunkers which he effectively silenced, killing the 2 occupants of each. Undaunted by the withering machine gun fire around him, Cpl. Crescenz courageously moved forward toward a third bunker which he also succeeded in silencing, killing 2 more of the enemy and momentarily clearing the route of advance for his comrades.
Suddenly, intense machine gun fire erupted from an unseen, camouflaged bunker. Realizing the danger to his fellow soldiers, Cpl. Crescenz disregarded the barrage of hostile fire directed at him and daringly advanced toward the position. Assaulting with his machine gun, Cpl. Crescenz was within 5 meters of the bunker when he was mortally wounded by the fire from the enemy machine gun.
As a direct result of his heroic actions, his company was able to maneuver freely with minimal danger and to complete its mission, defeating the enemy. Cpl. Crescenz's bravery and extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
In memory
Corporal Michael Joseph Crescenz has his name inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial ("The Wall") in Washington, D.C. on Panel 38W Line 016
Corporal Michael Joseph Crescenz has his name inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial ("The Wall") in Washington, D.C. on Panel 38W Line 016
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6 comments:
Born 1949, fought in 1968... this was a 19 year-old kid with his whole life ahead of him.
Such bravery in one so young who lay down his life so others may live.
Breaks my friggin heart.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Thank you to Corporal Michael Crescenz for his sacrifice and service....
Thank you for this piece of reality that makes us all stop and think.
These people, who we will never know, were someone sons, brothers, uncles, and a piece of them live on in those that were left behind.
Big hugs.
Yeah... a short life with so much heroism... God Bless...
~shoes~
Hey warrior: we don;t get to know those brave people and what they had gone through for their country. thank you honey.
I saw an old man on television. 'American Pickers'...the show comes out late. He was in WWII. He was a pilot on a carrier in the pacific. He said back then...the war was the place to be.
I would have loved to have a sit with him and just talk...he was so interesting.
later sweetie. xxx
Now that's incredible bravery,but what a tragic waste of a life,war.
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