Sens. Toomey, Casey To Introduce Bill To Rename VA Hospital After Medal Of Honor Hero
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) today announced that they will introduce a bill to rename the Woodland Avenue Veterans Affairs medical center in Philadelphia after Corporal Michael J. Crescenz, U.S.A., a Vietnam War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient.
Cpl. Crescenz was posthumously awarded the nation's highest military decoration for heroic service in Vietnam. He is the only Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient from Philadelphia.
Cpl. Crescenz was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions he took on Nov. 20, 1968, in Vietnam's Hiep Duc Valley. His Medal of Honor citation states that Cpl. Crescenz gave his life when he, "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 . . . 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."
His full Medal of Honor citation is available here.
"It is a small gesture on our part, given the nature of Corporal Michael Crescenz's heroism," said Sen. Toomey. "We do this with profound respect and deepest gratitude for his sacrifice. May the renaming of this building serve as an ever-present reminder of the sacrifices of all of Pennsylvania's Vietnam veterans."
"This is a tribute to the heroism of Corporal Michael Crescenz as well as service members across the country and throughout our history who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep American's safe," said Sen. Casey. "May this building dedication be a reminder to us all of the debt of gratitude we owe these brave men and women."
