Planes, bombs and pounding footsteps were common sounds for the 3.1 million American soldiers stationed in Vietnam. Of those soldiers, 58,279 of them did not make it home. That would be the last sounds they heard. But one small town South Dakota boy ensured that was not the case for the soldiers around him.
Michael J. Fitzmaurice was born on March 9, 1950, in Jamestown, ND, where his parents were on a trip. After he was born, his parents took him home to South Dakota. He then spent the entirety of his childhood in Cavour, SD. Shortly after he graduated high school, he enlisted in the military, where he served from 1969-1972. After enlisting, he was later deployed to Vietnam to fight in the Vietnam War.
The Vietnam War began in 1954, during the Cold War era. Communism was becoming more popular in Western Asia and eventually spread towards Vietnam. North Vietnam was pushing for communism in the country, but South Vietnam was opposed. The U.S. allied with South Vietnam to help in the fight against communism.
On March 23, 1972, shortly after his 21st birthday, Fitzmaurice came face-to-face with North Vietnam soldiers, one of the main enemies in the war. In the heart of battle, death and tragedy were all around him, yet he remained determined and steadfast. When he and the other soldiers in his squadron were in their bunker, the opposing enemies launched three grenades towards them. Fitzmaurice successfully threw the first two grenades out of the bunker, but the third was not as easy. Without a moment of hesitation, he jumped on top of the grenade, smothering the explosion and saving the lives of those around him. He sustained severe injuries, such as shrapnel wounds, an injured eye and burst eardrums, yet he continued on, refusing medical attention. At the time, he was wearing a flak vest, which was the reason he was able to survive.
After Fitzmaurice was discharged from the war, he was taken to Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Colorado, where his wounds were finally treated. When he recovered, he returned to South Dakota and began working in a packing house in Huron, SD. Two years after he was discharged, he got a phone call. He had been chosen to receive the Medal of Honor and Purple Heart for his heroic actions during the war. When he returned home, he shared the news with his parents and wife. To receive his medals, he traveled to Washington, D.C. with his family, where there was a ceremony for the five recipients at the time. At the ceremony there were eyewitnesses to corroborate his and the other recipients’ actions. Fitzmaurice met and shook hands with President Richard Nixon, who chose Fitzmaurice as a Medal of Honor recipient. While in D.C. Fitzmaurice had a personal escort and photographer everywhere he went. He wined and dined with the president and many other high-standing figures. The hotel he stayed at was upscale, and his room was a suite. It is safe to say that only the best was provided for these war heroes.
“[Receiving the medal] was pretty exciting for a little boy from South Dakota,” said Fitzmaurice.
Since receiving the Medal of Honor, Fitzmaurice has traveled all over the country, meeting numerous presidents such as George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. He also regularly meets with other Medal of Honor recipients. Every year, there is a national convention where they can be surrounded by people who have similar experiences, providing comfort and solace. This year’s convention was held in Chattanooga, TN.
Nothing could have prepared Fitzmaurice for the events that would occur during his time in the Army. No training could ever compare to what he would have to do. Yet, he acted on instinct and managed to save the lives of the soldiers in his squadron. It was not only him that saved lives, though. Fitzmaurice worked with the other soldiers, and together they fought against the common enemy. His brave actions put him above and beyond the rest, but he does not want to take all the credit. He does not want the medal to only be for him; he wants to share it with everyone else who fought. Joining the Army is the first brave action soldiers take. Defending others is the next. Some get the recognition they deserve, and some do not, but all are heroes in history.
