Four
decades later, a hero’s burial
U.S.
Army Cpl. Michael J. Crescenz
By CHRISTIE L. CHICOINE
CS&T Staff Writer
PHILADELPHIA — U.S. Army Cpl. Michael J. Crescenz, a native son
of the Philadelphia Archdiocese who died a hero’s death in combat
in Vietnam at age 19, will soon receive a resting place of high honor
— Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.
“He belongs with his comrades,” said Joseph M. Crescenz, 51,
one of Michael’s five brothers and a member of Our Lady of Consolation
Parish in Parkesburg, Chester County.
“It’s a big honor that he’s going to be among some of
our country’s other heroes and prominent politicians and policy-makers.
… I’m thrilled,” Joseph said.
“I know it’s … a symbolic thing,” he added regarding
his brother’s posthumous honor. “He’s with the Lord.
I strongly felt that the day he was killed.”
Nov. 20 will mark the 40th anniversary of Michael’s death.
It was Joseph — then 12 years old — who answered a knock at
the door one early Saturday morning four decades ago to find a military
official waiting outside his family’s home. The officer had come
to tell them of Michael’s death.
The casket of Michael Crescenz, now buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery,
will be transported to Arlington, where it will be reburied in a special
ceremony on Monday, May 12.
Auxiliary Bishop Joseph P. McFadden is scheduled to accompany the family
for the transferral of the body.
Joseph said Michael was buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery because it was
not far from the Crescenz family home at the time.
About 18 months ago, Joseph approached his brothers about the possibility
of having Michael buried at the cemetery at Arlington. They agreed.
Michael, the second of six sons of the late Charles Jr. and Maryann Crescenz,
graduated from St. Athanasius School in 1962 and from St. Cardinal Dougherty
High School in 1966.
Last week, he was posthumously honored by the archdiocesan Office of Catholic
Education as one of six alumni inducted into the Archdiocesan Hall of
Fame.
At Dougherty, Crescenz was a standout academic, varsity baseball player
and student leader.
He enlisted in the Army after his graduation and was deployed to Vietnam
in September 1968. Less than two months later, he sacrificed his life
when his company engaged the North Vietnamese Army in gun battle.
With two of his company’s men already gunned down, he charged into
the field, killing six Vietnamese soldiers and providing his comrades
with the time they needed to position themselves to defeat the enemy.
Five meters from the safety of a bunker, Cpl. Crescenz was shot and killed.
His action won him numerous posthumous medals, including the Purple Heart,
and the nation’s highest military decoration, the Congressional
Medal of Honor.
Joseph Crescenz said his brother’s selfless action was a reflection
of his character, and a loving response to what their parents had asked
of all six boys — “to help your fellow man whenever you can.”
CS&T Staff Writer Christie L. Chicoine may be reached at (215) 587-2468
or cchicoin@adphila.org.
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