Donald D. Fitzgereald

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Donald D. Fitzgerald, Specialist Four E4, United States Army , Company C, 1st Battalion, 2d Infantry, for gallantry in action against a hostile force: During this period, Specialist Fitzgerald’s company was participating in a multi-battalion road clearing operation along Highway 16 in Binh Duong Province. Suddenly his unit was called to the assistance of a friendly element which had become heavily engaged with a numerically superior Viet Cong Battalion. As the company approached the elaborate Viet Cong trench and bunker system, its forward movement was halted by an intense barrage of mortar, small arms and automatic weapons fire. The company suffered heavy casualties during the initial stage of the engagement. Specialist Fitzgerald moved throughout the perimeter as he answered every call for assistance. On several occasions, Specialist Fitzgerald maneuvered about the Viet Cong held areas throwing hand grenades at the insurgents in order to reach his wounded comrades and offer them necessary medical aid. Twice he moved across the entire perimeter to obtain a new supply of medical gear. When reinforcements arrived and passed through the platoon’s position, they were immediately fired upon by the Viet Cong. Specialist Fitzgerald, with complete disregard for his personal safety, ran through the hail of insurgent .50 caliber machine gun fire to aid the casualties. During this heroic act, Specialist Fitzgerald was critically wounded. Specialist Fitzgerald’s selfless concern for his fellow soldiers, his outstanding display of aggressiveness and his exemplary courageous attitude while exposed to hostile Viet Cong fire is in the keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon  himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.