Michael John Fitzmaurice

Michael John Fitzmaurice
The Medal of Honor being presented to SP4 Michael J. Fitzmaurice by President Richard M. Nixon at the White House, while members of his family and another recipient look on
Born	March 9, 1950 (1950-03-09) (age 61) Jamestown, North Dakota
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Rank	Specialist Four
Unit	17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Battles/wars	Vietnam War
Awards	Medal of Honor

Michael John Fitzmaurice (born March 9, 1950) is a former United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Biography

Fitzmaurice joined the Army from his birth city of Jamestown, North Dakota, and by March 23, 1971 was serving as a Specialist Four in Troop D, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. During a firefight on 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 actions.^[1]

Medal of Honor citation

Specialist Fitzmaurice's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

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. 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.^[1]

See also

	Biography portal
	United States Army portal

• List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Medal of Honor recipients - Vietnam (A-L)". United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/vietnam-a-l.html. Retrieved 2009-09-21. 

Persondata
Name	Fitzmaurice, Michael John
Alternative names
Short description	United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
Date of birth	March 9, 1950
Place of birth	Jamestown, North Dakota
Date of death
Place of death