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Photo Courtesy of HomeOfHeroes.com |
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Specialist Fourth Class Fitzmaurice and three fellow soldiers were occupying a bunker when a company of North Vietnamese sappers infiltrated the area. He observed three explosive charges which had been thrown into the bunker by the enemy. Realizing the imminent danger to his comrades 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, he encountered and overcame an enemy sapper in hand-to-hand combat. Obtaining another weapon, he returned to his original position and inflicted additional casualties on the attacking enemy. Although seriously wounded, he refused to be medically evacuated, preferring to remain at his post. Specialist Fourth Class 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. |
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Michael Fitzmaurice joined the South Dakota National Guard after earning the Medal of Honor on active duty. |
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