Title
Recognizing and Honoring Corporal Michael Joseph Crescenz as the only Philadelphian to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service during the Vietnam War.
Body
WHEREAS, Michael Joseph Crescenz was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 14, 1949 in the West Oak Lane section of the City and graduated from Cardinal Dougherty High School in 1966; and
WHEREAS, Michael Joseph Crescenz enlisted in the United States Army in February 1968 and was sent to Vietnam in September 1968; and
WHEREAS, Michael Joseph Crescenz earned the rank of Corporal serving in the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 196th Infantry Brigade; and
WHEREAS, Michael Joseph Crescenz was one of 646 Philadelphians who served in the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, Corporal 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; and
WHEREAS, On November 20, 1968, Corporal Michael Joseph Crescenz was killed in action near Hiep Duc, Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, On April 7, 1970, Corporal Michael Joseph Crescenz was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Richard M. Nixon making him the only Philadelphian to receive this honor for his service during the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, Corporal Michael Joseph Crescenz has his name inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Panel 38W Line 016; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes and honors Corporal Michael Joseph Crescenz as the only Philadelphian to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service during the Vietnam War.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Corporal Michael Joseph Crecenz, further evidencing the sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body.
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