We lost my Dad 10 years ago today . He was 51st AIB. Here is his citation for the Silver Star. Posting for our new members LONG ISLAND Lawrence Crivello, 85, decorated WWII veteran BY KATIE THOMAS STAFF WRITER March 13, 2005 Lawrence Crivello, whose Army service in World War II earned him the Silver Star, died Jan. 24 of complications from a stroke suffered earlier last year. The longtime Deer Park resident was 85. Crivellos four years in the Army marked him for the rest of his life, said his son, Lawrence Crivello Jr. of Smithtown. He saw a lot of action, his son said. In 1941 - at age 22 - Crivello was drafted into the Army, serving with the 51st Armored Infantry Battalion, which was attached to Gen. George Pattons 4th Armored Division. Although Crivellos service eventually took him to the hedgerows of Normandy, he spent his first few days in a frigid tent in Yaphank, a tantalizingly short distance from his parents apartment in Borough Park. Crivello earned a Silver Star for his actions on Oct. 1, 1944, when the then-tech/platoon sergeant and his men took out a group of German infantry near Arracourt, France. He also was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster for having been wounded twice in action, his son said. One month later, Crivello was seriously wounded when a bullet tore through his throat, his son said. He worked on a tugboat and guarded German prisoners of war until his discharge in April, 1945. Crivello was born in 1919 in Red Hook and he was 10 when his family moved to Borough Park, where he spent the rest of his childhood. In 1938, Crivello graduated from a printing trade school and started a career in the printing presses - following in the footsteps of his father and brothers. When he returned home from the war, Crivello continued his career, working his way up to the title of pressman, his son said. Readjusting after the war was tough for Crivello, his son said, and to cheer him up, his mother suggested that he get in touch with Theresa Fanelli, a childhood friend from Connecticut who often visited relatives in Borough Park. Crivello took his mothers advice and one year later - in April 1946 - the two were married. In 1963, Crivello took a job as a pressman for Blanchard Press, which printed magazines, and the family moved to Deer Park. He retired prematurely in 1974, his son said, due to lingering physical and mental problems due to the war. Afterward, he devoted himself to volunteering at the Northport VA Medical Center, his son said. In addition to his son and wife, Crivello also is survived by a daughter, Barbara Fontana of Mastic; four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was buried on Jan. 27 at Calverton National Cemetery, following a funeral service at St. Matthews Church in Dix Hills. Subscribe to Newsday home delivery Copyright © 2005, Newsday, Inc. | Article licensing and reprint options WITH OUR FIGHTERS Over There--- --Brooklyn Eagle, Sun., Dec. 24, 1944 Another winner of the Silver Star is Tech Sgt. Lawrence Crivello of 878 40th St. Platoon sergeant with an armored infantry battalion in France, Crivello noticed that the enemy in the midst of a savage attack on our lines Oct.1, near Arracourt , France, was attempting to break through a weak spot on his platoons left flank. Acting on his own initiative, Crivello took a handful of men from those he thought could be spared and personally led them into the sector of the expected breakthrough, declared his citation. He showed great courage and was an inspiration to his men, leading them into position, moving from one man to another directing fire, checking positions and generally encouraging them. This was all done despite heavy enemy fire. The withering stream of accurate fire laid down by Sergeant Crivello and his men sent the enemy reeling back in a disorganized retreat and opened the way for a counter attack the next the next day. Crivello entered service in February, 1941, and has been overseas a year. He was previously awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 00:11:32 +0000
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