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Also naming Martins Mill Road between Longshore Avenue and Knorr Street “Corporal Michael J. Crescenz, MOH Road” to honor the memory of Corporal Michael J. Crescenz, MOH and to recognize his life and memorialize his lasting legacy.
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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 J. Crescenz enlisted in the United States Army in February 1968 and was sent to Vietnam in September 1968, earning the rank of Corporal while serving in the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 196th Infantry Brigade; and
WHEREAS, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz was one of 646 Philadelphians who served in the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a rifleman with Company A. 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 two 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 two 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 two more of the enemy and momentarily clearing the route of advance for his comrades. Realizing the danger of sudden, intense machine gun fire erupted from an unseen, camouflaged bunker 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 five 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 J. Crescenz was killed in action near Hiep Duc, Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, On April 7, 1970, Corporal Michael J. 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 J. Crescenz has his name inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Panel 38W Line 016; and
WHEREAS, The medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs located at 3900 Woodland Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will be designated as the “Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center”; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Martins Mill Road between Longshore Avenue and Knorr Street is also named “Corporal Michael J. Crescenz, MOH Road” to honor the memory of Corporal Michael Joseph Crescenz and to recognize his life and memorialize his lasting legacy.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Corporal Michael J. Crescenz, further evidencing the sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body.
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