John F. Crikelair was born on May 12, 1945, to Mr. and Mrs. George Crikelair. His home of record is Ridgewood, NJ. John graduated from Glen Rock High School in 1963. He was a 1968 graduate of Notre Dame, where he was a two-time All-American in Fencing. In 1967, he was the first Great Lakes Champion and in 1968, he was a foil captain.

Crikelair entered the US Army and attained the rank of Sergeant (SGT). He served with the 75th Infantry Rangers, Company F attached to the Army’s 25th Infantry Division. Crikelair was killed in action during a firefight with enemy forces on August 6, 1969, while on a long-range patrol.

The team’s mission was to gather intelligence and if the opportunity arose, to kill or capture enemy personnel. His team monitored an undetermined number of voices, approximately 400 meters from their position. They engaged the three to five enemy personnel with claymores, small arms and automatic weapons, resulting in three NVA killed in action. The team popped trip flares on both flanks of their position and the Navy Permeable Reactive Barriers (PBR) put out suppressive automatic weapons fire. Immediately after the US Navy opened fire, the team received two undetermined-type explosive charges into their position. They believed the charges to be anti-tank grenades. Six members of the team were wounded from the two explosions.

The six wounded in action were evacuated to the 12th Evac Hospital. Two of the team members died while under intensive treatment at the hospital.

Crikelair was awarded the National Defense Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm.

In his honor, Crikelair’s family established The John Crikelair Award given to the Notre Dame’s Men’s Foilist who best represents his team and his university on and off the strip.

Sources: John Sheldon (classmate), Bob Newsom (veteran) and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024