NO GREATER LOVE

The Story of Medal of Honor Recipient Michael J. Crescenz

by Maria Merlino

Michael Crescenz was a leader, brother and friend who bravely stood up for others in trouble. He lived in a thriving, post WWII Philadelphia neighborhood. His father served in that war – the second of six brothers. Michael had a big smile, athletic skills, grit, and a strong competitive spirit.

Michael grew up surrounded by his family, church, neighborhood playgrounds, and lively Catholic schools that he attended from elementary to high school. These experiences influenced his personality and values. He felt a sense of duty and wanted to serve his country. Doing his part, he joined the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. His unit, the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, faced a tough enemy on Nui Chom Mountain, a hidden “fortress in the clouds” in the far northwest of South Vietnam near North Vietnam and Laos. He had only been in Vietnam for two months when they went into this battle.

The commanders expected a tough battle, but they were unaware of the more than 250 machine gun bunkers the enemy had set up on the mountain slopes. On November 20, 1968, Alpha Company was caught in a trap on the damp jungle hillside, as the NVA killed the two front men and kept the rest under constant fire.

Private first-class Michael J. Crescenz put the safety of his comrades before his own and grabbed an M60 machine gun to attack the enemy bunkers. He lost his life, but his brave actions saved his fellow soldiers and enabled them to overcome and win. Michael received the Medal of Honor after his death for his courage and sacrifice.

The book, written by military writer John Siegfried and cowriter reporter Kevin Ferris, narrates his story through the eyes of those who cared for Michael Crescenz most: his family, close friends, retired Lieutenant General Sam Wetzel who was Michael’s commander in Vietnam, and medic William “Doc” Stafford who was near Michael when he was killed by enemy fire and who still believes that he only survived Nui Chom because of Michael’s selfless actions.

The Tri-State Vietnam Veterans Community honored him with memorials, statues, plaques, murals and three street renamings. A VFW Post also was renamed after him, and the Philadelphia Veterans Hospital rebranded as the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz V.A. Medical Center in 2015. His life and legacy still live on in the hearts and minds of his classmates from St. Athanasius grade school, Cardinal Dougherty High School, and many family members and friends in both the Veteran and Tri-State Communities. PRH

John Siegfried is an Author, Military Historian and Board Member of the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation since 2014.