On March 23, 1971, Specialist Michael Fitzmaurice and 3 fellow soldiers were occupying a bunker when a company of North Vietnamese sappers infiltrated the area in Khe Sanh, South Vietnam. At the onset of the attack Sp4c. Fitzmaurice observed 3 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 2 of the charges out of the bunker ... and jumped on the last enemy sapper charge , saving the lives of his fellow GIs.
Seriously wounded, he continued to fight ... and then hospitalized for the next 13 months. He was award the Medal of Honor at the White House on October 15, 1973.
