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Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Troop D, 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division. Place and date: Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam, 23 March 1971. Entered service at: Jamestown, N. Dak. Born: 9 March 1950, Jamestown, N. Dak.
Citation... For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Fitzmaurice, 3d Platoon, Troop D, distinguished himself at Khe Sanh.
Sp4c. Fitzmaurice and 3 fellow soldiers were occupying a bunker when
a company of North Vietnamese sappers infiltrated the area. At the
onset of the attack Sp4c. Fitzmaurice observed 3 explosive charges
which had been thrown into the bunker by the enemy. Realizing the
imminent danger to his comrades, and with complete disregard for his
personal safety, he hurled 2 of the charges out of the bunker. |
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He then threw his flak vest and himself over
the remaining charge. By this courageous act he absorbed the
blast and shielded his fellow-soldiers. Although suffering from
serious multiple wounds and partial loss of sight, he charged
out of the bunker, and engaged the enemy until his rifle was
damaged by the blast of an enemy hand grenade. While in search
of another weapon, Sp4c. Fitzmaurice encountered and overcame an
enemy sapper in hand-to-hand combat. Having obtained another
weapon, he returned to his original fighting position and
inflicted additional casualties on the attacking enemy. Although
seriously wounded, Sp4c. Fitzmaurice refused to be medically
evacuated, preferring to remain at his post. Sp4c. Fitzmaurice's
extraordinary heroism in action at the risk of his life
contributed significantly to the successful defense of the
position and resulted in saving the lives of a number of his
fellow soldiers. These acts of heroism go above and beyond the
call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the
military service, and reflect great credit on Sp4c. Fitzmaurice
and the U.S. Army. | |
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