Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Alva
Restiva
Fitch
POW (WWII)
September 10, 1907

–

November 25, 1989

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Alva Fitch was the first Eagle Scout from his home state of Nebraska. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1930. He later became Deputy Director of Defense Intelligence Agency and retired in 1966 as a U.S. Army Lieutenant General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Field Artillery)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    91st Coast Artillery Regiment (PS)

    Division:

    U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps

    Action Date:

    January 15, 1942
    Allied Force Headquarters in the Philippines, General Orders No. 15 (April 5, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Field Artillery) Alva Restiva Fitch (ASN: 0-18113), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 91st Coast Artillery Regiment (Philippine Scouts), U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps (Philippine Islands), in action against enemy forces on 15 January 1942, in the vicinity of Bataan in the Philippine Islands. Major Fitch led his forces in action to delay the Japanese development of the Mauban position. During the delaying actions immediately preceding the occupation of the final defensive positions in Bataan, he commanded the Provisional Artillery Battalion in support of the 1st Philippine Army Division at the battle of Mauban. During this battle, the American and Philippine forces were completely cut off by a Japanese encircling movement. After seven days of fruitless efforts to reopen communications with the remainder of the I Corps, with ammunition and food exhausted, it was decided to abandon the Mauban position. Captain Fitch, after destroying his guns, used his artillerymen to clear and defend a trail along the coast over which the bulk of the besieged force escaped. Major Fitch’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    April 1955 – May 1966
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 27 (June 27, 1966)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Alva Restiva Fitch (ASN: 0-18113), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, during the period from April 1955 to May 1966.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery), [then Major)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    91st Field Artillery Regiment

    Division:

    Philippine Scouts

    Action Date:

    January 20, 1942
    War Department, General Orders No. 121 (October 17, 1946)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery), [then Major) Alva Restiva Fitch (ASN: 0-18113), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 2d Battalion, 91st Field Artillery Regiment, Philippine Scouts, in action at Bataan, Philippine Islands, on 20 January 1942. On the afternoon that Colonel Fitch was assigned to the command of the 2d Battalion, 91st Artillery, the gun crews of his Batteries C and D were driven from their gun positions by the fire of enemy snipes. Although it was well known that the enemy was particularly on watch for American officers, Colonel Fitch gathered about 40 Filipino soldiers and led them through the area, completely clearing the area of enemy snipers. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Fitch, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Division:

    Military Assistance Advisory Group, Belgium

    Action Date:

    1957 – 1959
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Alva Restiva Fitch (ASN: 0-18113), United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief, Military Assistance Advisory Group, Belgium, from 1957 to 1959.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Field Artillery)

    Regiment:

    Artillery

    Division:

    IX Corps

    Action Date:

    1952 – 1953
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Field Artillery) Alva Restiva Fitch (ASN: 0-18113), United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Executive Officer, Corps Artillery, NINTH Corps, in Korea, from 1952 to 1953.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Field Artillery)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands)

    Action Date:

    1942 – 1945

    Major (Field Artillery) Alva Restiva Fitch (ASN: 0-18113), United States Army, was captured by the Japanese after the fall the Philippine Islands in 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military control at the end of hostilities in August 1945.