Private First Class Julius M. Vajda
Staff Sergeant Hersal B. Cralle was killed in action on May 8, 1944.
People who are drawn to serve and protect others often choose to do so in many ways. Some choose to serve in the military, protecting our freedom and some serve as volunteer firefighters, saving lives and protecting property from the ravages of fire. The Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department pays tribute to those individuals that did both, by serving in the military and serving their community as a member of our department.
Looking back through the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department’s long history of service, we have been able to identify members who have served in the military. We have been able to chronicle their contributions dating as far back as the Spanish American War right up through the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some of these members served in war times, while others served in times of peace. Regardless of when they served, the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department is proud of their service to the United States of America and to our department.
Staff Sergeant Hersal B. Cralle was killed in action on May 8, 1944.
Ensign Michael Korn was killed during a training flight on January 27, 1944.
Staff Sergeant Hersal B. Cralle was killed in action on May 8, 1944.
The Spanish American War between Spain and the United States began in 1898 after the sinking of the American battleship Maine. The Navy was ready and began a blockade of Cuba soon after President McKinley signed the joint resolution on April 20, 1898. The Army, made radical changes to mobilize and grow their ranks from 28,000 to 50,000 troops. Through volunteers and the mobilization of state National Guard units they grew to 220,000 men.
World War I began in the summer of 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and ended in late 1918. More than 70 million military personnel, including 60 million Europeans, were mobilized in one of the largest wars in history.
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor many were called to arms. A total of 27 members of the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department went off to war including, Fire Chief Frank Briguglio, who led by example and voluntarily signed up for the Navy. It was this type of leadership that characterized Chief Briguglio. Chief Briguglio served as Chief of the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department from 1939 through 1941 and again from 1945 through 1950. He also served as Fire Chief for Prince George’s County from 1975 to 1978. During World War II, members served in all theatres of the war.
The deployment of so many volunteer firefighters during World War II had a tremendous impact on our ability to maintain fire protection. The Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Dept. Ladies Auxiliary, the first organized fire department ladies auxiliary in the United States, was called upon to help fill that gap. They were trained to drive the fire apparatus and fight fires. These courageous ladies were not afraid to take on these duties. Louise “Alice” Long, who died in 2007 at the age of 101, and Evelyn Mockabee, who died in October 2009 at the age of 86, were the last remaining survivors of this outstanding group of ladies.
Shortly after North Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel, invading South Korea, the United States joined in the fight. Once again members of the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department were called to military service and off to fight the war. They included the Miller brothers.
For more information about members of the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department who have served or are serving in the U.S. military please visit our veteran’s page.
On this Memorial Day, please take time to reflect on the supreme sacrifices made by our armed forces in service to their country, especially Ensign Michael H. Korn, Private 1st Class Julius M. Vajda, and Staff Sergeant Hersal B. Cralle. These three men were members of the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department.
Commemorating a century of service, the men and women of the Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department began with a tribute to all of our veteran members. On August 31, 2013, members and their families gathered for a trip to Arlington National Cemetery to honor all who have served and sacrificed, including some of our own who never returned to quarters. They also visited the graves of past members who have been laid to rest on America’s most hallowed grounds.
The Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department is a non-profit organization that provides fire and emergency services for the town of Capitol Heights and surrounding communities. We are located about 5 miles from our nation’s capital, in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Our station is staffed both by career and volunteer personnel.
