

Rank and organization: Captain,
U.S.
Army, Troop A, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Place
and date:
Binh
Long
Province,
Republic
of Vietnam,
11 January 1969. Entered
service at:
Milwaukee,
Wis.
Born: 21 February
1944, Chicago,
Ill. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. (then 1st Lt.) Fritz,
Armor,
U.S.
Army, distinguished himself while serving as a platoon leader with Troop A,
near Quan Loi. Capt. Fritz was leading his 7-vehicle armored
column along Highway 13 to meet and escort a truck convoy when the column
suddenly came under intense crossfire from a reinforced enemy company deployed
in ambush positions. In the initial
attack, Capt. Fritz' vehicle was hit and he was seriously wounded. Realizing that his platoon was completely
surrounded, vastly outnumbered, and in danger of being overrun, Capt. Fritz
leaped to the top of his burning vehicle and directed the positioning of his
remaining vehicles and men. With
complete disregard for his wounds and safety, he ran from vehicle to vehicle in
complete view of the enemy gunners in order to reposition his men, to improve
the defenses, to assist the wounded, to distribute ammunition, to direct fire,
and to provide encouragement to his men.
When a strong enemy force assaulted the position and attempted to
overrun the platoon, Capt. Fritz manned a machine-gun and through his exemplary
action inspired his men to deliver intense and deadly fire which broke the
assault and routed the attackers.
Moments later a second enemy force advanced to within 2 meters of the
position and threatened to overwhelm the defenders. Capt. Fritz, armed only with a pistol and
bayonet, led a small group of his men in a fierce and daring charge which
routed the attackers and inflicted heavy casualties. When a relief force arrived, Capt. Fritz saw
that it was not deploying effectively against the enemy positions, and he moved
through the heavy enemy fire to direct its deployment against the hostile
positions. This deployment forced the
enemy to abandon the ambush site and withdraw.
Despite his wounds, Capt. Fritz returned to his position, assisted his
men, and refused medical attention until all of his wounded comrades had been
treated and evacuated. The extraordinary
courage and selflessness displayed by Capt. Fritz, at the repeated risk of his
own life above and beyond the call of duty, were in keeping with the highest
traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect the greatest credit upon himself, his
unit, and the Armed Forces.