Michael J Fitzmaurice
Michael was born premature in Jamestown, North Dakota, on the 9th of March 1950. Since he was born unexpectedly early, his parents returned home to South Dakota for a month while he received care in the hospital. Michael grew up in Cavour, South Dakota, and graduated from Iroquois High School in 1969. Since his family had a history of military service, it only seemed fitting to enlist in the US Army that same year in Sioux Falls.
Michael went to Basic Training at Fort Lewis, Washington in October of 1969, followed by Advanced Individual Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Once qualified in armored reconnaissance, he deployed to the Republic of Vietnam with the 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division, and it was his actions after being in country for about a year, that would later earn him the Medal of Honor. The 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 Khesanh. Sp4c. Fitzmaurice and three 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 three 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 two 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.
By the morning, Michael finally consented to medical treatment and had to be stabilized before being sent back to the States. He spent thirteen months at Fitzsimons Army Medical Hospital in Colorado, and in April of 1972, he received a medical discharge. Michael returned home to South Dakota, where he got a job at a meat processing plant in Huron and got married to Patty in March of 1973. One day while at work, he got a phone call from the White House telling him that he would be receiving the Medal of Honor. Michael couldn’t tell anyone until the press release had come out in the newspaper and then he and his family went to the White House, where he received the Medal of Honor from President Nixon on the 15th of October 1973.
He went back to processing pigs at the plant but then got a job at the Veterans Administration in Reno, Nevada as a counselor, which he hated. Michael once again went back to South Dakota and processed pigs. He was asked if he would return to the VA, to which he said yes, but this time working in the maintenance department in Sioux Falls. Michael held this position for 23 years, in addition to serving in the South Dakota Army and Air National Guards, reaching the rank of Technical Sergeant. Michael John Fitzmaurice recently celebrated his 73rd birthday and he still lives in South Dakota.
