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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) William Conyers Fite, II (ASN: 0-21331), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 30 January 1945. Major Fite, the commanding officer of an Infantry battalion, was at an advance observation post, watching the progress of his unit’s attack against an enemy-held hill, when an enemy machine gun opened fire, and seriously wounded a soldier who lay in an exposed position under the hostile fire. Major Fite immediately left his sheltered position to go to the injured man’s aid, and although Japanese machine gun bullets kicked up dust around his feet, he successfully reached the casualty and helped carry him to a position of safety. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Fite, 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.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    129th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    37th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    1944 – 1945
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) William Conyers Fite, II (ASN: 0-21331), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, from 1944 to 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Fite and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    7502d Army Unit

    Action Date:

    November 7, 1954
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 43 (June 24, 1955)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) William Conyers Fite, II (ASN: 0-21331), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 7502d Army Unit (Personnel Center), Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, in the rescue of a brother officer near Cerro Gordo, Puerto Rico on 7 November 1954. While swimming at Cerro Gordo, Puerto Rico, Lieutenant Colonel Fite observed a brother officer being knocked from a small boat by high waves and being swept into an extremely dangerous area of high rolling breakers. Lieutenant Colonel Fite unhesitatingly, and at great personal risk, entered the dangerous breakers and towed the injured officer to a place of safety. Lieutenant Colonel Fite’s heroic action saved the life of a brother officer at a decided risk to his own. Such action reflects the greatest credit on himself and the military service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    129th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    37th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    November 29, 1943
    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Orders No. 395 (March 15, 1944) and General Orders No. 396 (March 15, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) William Conyers Fite, II (ASN: 0-21331), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 29 November 1943. Major Fite courageously exposed himself to the extremely close-range enemy fire to rescue an officer who had been mortally wounded while both were risking their lives in a desperate attempt to save a patrol trapped by the Japanese on the ledge of a steep bluff at Bougainville, Solomon Islands. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Fite, 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.