The Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department responded to a 3 alarm fire at the 5 and 10 Cent Store on Central Avenue in Capitol Heights. The building suffered heavy losses. Chief Joseph LiCalzi was in charge of the incident.
The Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department placed it’s first ambulance in service and ran it’s first call. The 1949 Cadillac ambulance responded to H Street in Hillside for an injured person. Earl Burdette, Jr. was the driver and the crew was Robert “Gene” McClelland, Sr. and John Dorman.
The Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department hosted the annual convention of the Prince George’s County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association. On September 8, the firemen’s parade was held. Fire Chief Frank Briguglio, the convention chairman, reported that approximately 3,000 spectators watched the parade along Central Avenue.
The officers and members of The Capitol Heights Volunteer Fire Department wish you and yours a Merry Christmas! This photo was taken during the 50’s of the old firehouse located at Capitol Heights Boulevard and Central Avenue (now the town hall).
Magdalene Schmidt, President of the Ladies Auxiliary, presented Fire Chief Frank Briguglio with $5,000 in Building Association Stock to help pay for the addition to the firehouse. The addition to the firehouse was needed to house the new 1948 American LaFrance pumper that was just delivered.
Assistant Chief Joseph LiCalzi and Secretary Frank Sullivan were appointed to meet with the principal and teachers at Maryland Park High School to formulate a policy for excusing Junior members from school when the department needed them for a fire call.
Private 1st Class Julius M. Vajda was killed in action near St. Vith, Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge. He was buried in Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery but he was later reinterred with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Julius received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
Staff Sergeant Hersal B. Cralle was killed in action over Lindhorst, Germany. Sergeant Cralle was a ball turret operator on a B-17 bomber, named “Ain’t Misbehavin.” The plane was hit by enemy fire on its way to Berlin for a bombing mission. Only one crew member was able to parachute out before the plane exploded in mid-air. There were no other survivors. Sergeant Cralle was one of many volunteer firefighters who enlisted after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Sergeant Cralle was awarded the Purple Heart and the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. He is buried at the Ardennes American Cemetery in Neupre, Belgium.
At the department’s regular business meeting, a motion was passed to make Walter Stommel, Sr. an honorary lifetime member.
Ensign Michael Henry Korn, a U.S. Navy pilot and volunteer firefighter, was killed during a routine training flight near the Jacksonville NAS, in Florida. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
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.