Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient. Served in the United States Army during the War in Vietnam as a Corporal in Company A, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery near the Hiep Duc Valley region on November 20, 1968. His citation reads "Cpl. Crescenz distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a rifleman in 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 machinegun and, with complete disregard for his own 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 machinegun fire around him, Cpl. Crescenz courageously moved forward towards 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 machinegun 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 towards the position. Assaulting with his machinegun, Cpl. Crescenz was within 5 meters of the bunker when he was mortally wounded by the fire from the enemy machinegun. 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". He was only 19 years old. His Medal was posthumously presented to his family at the White House by President Richard M. Nixon on April 7, 1970. The only Philadelphia native to be awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War, his name can be found on Panel 38W, Line 016 on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC.