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First Name: Michael

Last Name: Fitzmaurice

Birthplace: Jamestown, ND, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Home of Record: Jamestown, ND
Middle Name: John



Date of Birth: 09 March 1950



Rank: Specialist 4

Years Served:
Michael John Fitzmaurice

   
Engagements:
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

Michael John Fitzmaurice
Specialist Four, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War

Specialist Four Michael John Fitzmaurice is a former U.S. Army soldier and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Michael John Fitzmaurice was born on 9 March 1950 in Jamestown, ND. He also joined the U.S. Army in Jamestown. On 23 March 1971, Michael was serving as a Specialist Four in Troop D, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. During a firefight that day in Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam, Fitzmaurice smothered the blast of an enemy-thrown explosive charge with his flak vest and body to protect other soldiers. Seriously wounded, he continued to fight the enemy and refused medical evacuation. He survived his wounds and was subsequently awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions.

Medal of Honor

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4. Fitzmaurice, 3d Platoon, Troop D, distinguished himself at Khe Sanh. Sp4. 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 Sp4. 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. 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, Sp4. 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, Sp4. Fitzmaurice refused to be medically evacuated, preferring to remain at his post. Sp4. 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 Sp4. Fitzmaurice and the U.S. Army.



Honoree ID: 944   Created by: MHOH

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