Hot Springs in Fall River County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Michael John Fitzmaurice Medal of Honor Citation

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 25, 2026

1. Michael John Fitzmaurice Medal of Honor Citation Marker

Inscription.
The President of the United States
in the name of
The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Congressional Medal of Honor
to
FITZMAURICE, MICHAEL JOHN
Rank and organization: Specialist Four, United States Army, Troop D, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division. Place and date: Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam, 23 March 1971. Entered service at: Fort Lewis, Wash. Date and place of birth: March 9, 1950, Jamestown, N. Dak. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Specialist Four Michael J. Fitzmaurice, 3rd Platoon, D Troop, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division, distinguished himself on 23 March 1971 at Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Fitzmaurice and three fellow soldiers were occupying a bunker when a company of North Vietnamese sappers infiltrated the area. At the onset of the attack Specialist Fitzmaurice observed three 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 two

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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 handgrenade. While in search of another weapon, Specialist Fitzmaurice encountered and overcame an enemy sapper in hand-to-hand combat. Having obtained another weapon, he returned to his original fighting position and inflicted additional casualties on the attacking enemy. Although seriously wounded, Specialist Fitzmaurice refused to be medically evacuated, preferring to remain at his post. Specialist Fitzmaurice's conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity 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. These acts of heroism go above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 25, 2026

2. Michael John Fitzmaurice Medal of Honor Citation Marker

great credit on Specialist Fitzmaurice and the United States Army.

Erected by State of South Dakota.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 23, 1971.

Location. 43° 26.194′ N, 103° 29.622′ W. Marker is in Hot Springs, South Dakota, in Fall River County. It is at the intersection of Hero Avenue and Minnekahta Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Hero Avenue. Monument is on the South Dakota State Veterans Home grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2510 Minnekahta Avenue, Hot Springs SD 57747, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West River.

It is also in the American Black Hills,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At

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least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Businessmen's Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Smallest Union Depot in the World (approx. 0.6 miles away); Historic Wood Jail (approx. 0.6 miles away); Union Depot (approx. 0.6 miles away); Sandstone Architecture of Hot Springs, SD (approx. 0.6 miles away); Evanston Block (approx. 0.6 miles away); Bodega Building (approx. 0.6 miles away); FJ Oldsmobile Garage (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hot Springs.

Another marker is no longer nearby. An Old Jail (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 20, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.