Billy Elmer Fritts
Major, U.S. Army

Fritts was a World War II Veteran, serving with the 82nd Airborne Divison from 1941-1945. At one time, he was an enlisted man.

In July 1953, Major Billy Elmer Fritts was serving with an Infantry Battalion of the 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 11 July, MAJ Fritts' unit was engaged with enemy forces in the vicinity of Sokkogae, Korea. That afternoon, Major Fritts elected to remain with a Battalion that was relieving his unit in defense of an outpost. Seeing the need for accurate artillery fire on the attacking enemy, MAJ Fritts proceeded through an intense barrage to an exposed observation post. While he was calling in fire on the enemy forces, his bunker was subjected to heavy shelling by a large caliber enemy gun. It was apparent that destruction of the bunker was inevitable, but MAJ Fritts, although knocked from his feet several times, continued to direct deadly fire into the ranks of the attacking force. A direct hit finally destroyed the bunker and MAJ Fritts was killed instantly. His courageous and selfless actions, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Commendation Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal (Germany)
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Infantry) Billy E. Fritts (ASN: 0-39276), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with an Infantry Battalion of the 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Major Fritts distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Sokkogae, Korea, on the afternoon of 11 July 1953. On that date, Major Fritts voluntarily elected to remain with a battalion which was relieving his unit in defense of an outpost. Recognizing the need for accurate artillery fire on the attacking enemy, Major Fritts proceeded through an intense barrage to an exposed observation post. While he was calling in effective fire on the hostile forces, his bunker was subjected to heavy shelling by a large caliber enemy gun. It was apparent that destruction of the bunker was inevitable, but Major Fritts, although knocked from his feet several times, continued to direct deadly fire into the ranks of the attacking force. A direct hit finally destroyed the bunker and Major Fritts was killed instantly. Through his courageous and completely selfless actions, Major Fritts had inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and contributed materially to the successful evacuation of the position and the saving of many lives.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 910 (October 5, 1953)

Burial

Major Billy Elmer Fritts is buried at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery in Fort Gibson, Muskogee County, OK, in Plot: 7, 0, 65.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=671699