Private Fitzgerald was a machine gunner in the Machine Gun Platoon, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. On July 26, 1953, while defending Hill 119, "Boulder City" along the 38th Parallel, He successfully warded off vicious enemy attacks and, although mortally wounded from artillery and rocket fire, saved the lives of two of his comrades. For his leadership and valor, Private Fitzgerald was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
SILVER STAR CITATION
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private Richard Malcolm Fitzgerald (MCSN: 1216728), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gunner in F Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 26 July 1953. With the outpost position under attack by an overwhelming force of hostile troops during the hours of darkness, Private Fitzgerald fearlessly engaged the enemy with hand grenades and machine gun fire to repulse the vicious attack. Later, upon learning that two wounded men were lying in an exposed area, he moved forward in the face of an intense hostile mortar and artillery barrage to administer aid to the stricken Marines and to remove them to safe positions. Returning to his machine gun, he directed his men to remain in their positions and proceeded to move his weapon to a new firing location. When the enemy launched another fierce assault, he opened fire from his unsuspected position to create the illusion of a stronger defense and aided in repelling the attack, accounting for a heavy toll among the hostile troops. Mortally wounded during the fierce engagement, Private Fitzgerald, by his indomitable fighting spirit, outstanding courage and resolute determination in the face of heavy odds, was directly responsible for saving the lives of two of his comrades and contributed in large measure to the defense of the outpost, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Richard was killed one day before the cease-fire ended the war. He almost came home. He was the son of Francis Bernard and Florence Mary Ryan Sullivan Fitzgerald.
SILVER STAR CITATION
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private Richard Malcolm Fitzgerald (MCSN: 1216728), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gunner in F Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 26 July 1953. With the outpost position under attack by an overwhelming force of hostile troops during the hours of darkness, Private Fitzgerald fearlessly engaged the enemy with hand grenades and machine gun fire to repulse the vicious attack. Later, upon learning that two wounded men were lying in an exposed area, he moved forward in the face of an intense hostile mortar and artillery barrage to administer aid to the stricken Marines and to remove them to safe positions. Returning to his machine gun, he directed his men to remain in their positions and proceeded to move his weapon to a new firing location. When the enemy launched another fierce assault, he opened fire from his unsuspected position to create the illusion of a stronger defense and aided in repelling the attack, accounting for a heavy toll among the hostile troops. Mortally wounded during the fierce engagement, Private Fitzgerald, by his indomitable fighting spirit, outstanding courage and resolute determination in the face of heavy odds, was directly responsible for saving the lives of two of his comrades and contributed in large measure to the defense of the outpost, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Richard was killed one day before the cease-fire ended the war. He almost came home. He was the son of Francis Bernard and Florence Mary Ryan Sullivan Fitzgerald.
Private Fitzgerald was a machine gunner in the Machine Gun Platoon, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. On July 26, 1953, while defending Hill 119, "Boulder City" along the 38th Parallel, He successfully warded off vicious enemy attacks and, although mortally wounded from artillery and rocket fire, saved the lives of two of his comrades. For his leadership and valor, Private Fitzgerald was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
SILVER STAR CITATION
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private Richard Malcolm Fitzgerald (MCSN: 1216728), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gunner in F Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 26 July 1953. With the outpost position under attack by an overwhelming force of hostile troops during the hours of darkness, Private Fitzgerald fearlessly engaged the enemy with hand grenades and machine gun fire to repulse the vicious attack. Later, upon learning that two wounded men were lying in an exposed area, he moved forward in the face of an intense hostile mortar and artillery barrage to administer aid to the stricken Marines and to remove them to safe positions. Returning to his machine gun, he directed his men to remain in their positions and proceeded to move his weapon to a new firing location. When the enemy launched another fierce assault, he opened fire from his unsuspected position to create the illusion of a stronger defense and aided in repelling the attack, accounting for a heavy toll among the hostile troops. Mortally wounded during the fierce engagement, Private Fitzgerald, by his indomitable fighting spirit, outstanding courage and resolute determination in the face of heavy odds, was directly responsible for saving the lives of two of his comrades and contributed in large measure to the defense of the outpost, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Richard was killed one day before the cease-fire ended the war. He almost came home. He was the son of Francis Bernard and Florence Mary Ryan Sullivan Fitzgerald.
SILVER STAR CITATION
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private Richard Malcolm Fitzgerald (MCSN: 1216728), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gunner in F Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 26 July 1953. With the outpost position under attack by an overwhelming force of hostile troops during the hours of darkness, Private Fitzgerald fearlessly engaged the enemy with hand grenades and machine gun fire to repulse the vicious attack. Later, upon learning that two wounded men were lying in an exposed area, he moved forward in the face of an intense hostile mortar and artillery barrage to administer aid to the stricken Marines and to remove them to safe positions. Returning to his machine gun, he directed his men to remain in their positions and proceeded to move his weapon to a new firing location. When the enemy launched another fierce assault, he opened fire from his unsuspected position to create the illusion of a stronger defense and aided in repelling the attack, accounting for a heavy toll among the hostile troops. Mortally wounded during the fierce engagement, Private Fitzgerald, by his indomitable fighting spirit, outstanding courage and resolute determination in the face of heavy odds, was directly responsible for saving the lives of two of his comrades and contributed in large measure to the defense of the outpost, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Richard was killed one day before the cease-fire ended the war. He almost came home. He was the son of Francis Bernard and Florence Mary Ryan Sullivan Fitzgerald.
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