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May 12, 2008 11:01 pm US/Eastern
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Local Vietnam Veteran Laid To Rest In Va.
ARLINGTON, Va. (CBS 3) ―
After paying with his life in Vietnam, a local hero was brought to his final resting place in Arlington, Virginia.
Army Corporal Michael Crescenz was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday.
"It's a sad but very happy day because Michael is back where he belongs now," fellow Vietnam Veteran Charles Becker said.
Army Corporal Crescenz, the only Philadelphian awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor from the Vietnam War, was shot and killed during a gun battle in 1968.
Michael was originally buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Cheltenham Township, but his five brothers made the decision to have him buried in Arlington, Virginia.
"He's where he belongs now with the other heroes from our country," his brother Charles said.
His final funeral was conducted on Monday and he was buried with full military honors.
"(There are) a lot of honored people here and I am just happy that our brother is part of it," Joe Crescenz said.
Michael's squad leader back in 1968 was also in attendance for the somber ceremony on Monday.
"I was honored to have been his squad leader and I am honored to be here to give his family support and say we loved him and he was a great soldier," Jim Willard said.
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