The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Specialist Fifth Class Thomas M. Fitzgerald, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force. Specialist Five Fitzgerald distinguished himself by valorous actions on 23 March 1969 by exposing himself to a withering hail of enemy fire in order to offer treatment and assistance to the wounded. Specialist Fifth Class Fitzgerald was attached as a Medic to the First Platoon of Troop A, 3d Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment, while the unit was engaged in a reconnaissance in force mission in the Dong Ha Valley, Republic of Vietnam. During the course of the mission the unit came upon an almost impassable stream. When the Medic Track of the troop began to slowly maneuver across the stream, elements of the North Vietnamese Army launched a well organized and highly effective attack. The Medic Track took a direct hit by an enemy RPG, killing the driver and wounding the remainder of the crew, including the unit’s Vietnamese interpreter. Realizing that the Medics were unable to treat themselves or the other crewmembers, Specialist Fifth Class Fitzgerald abandoned the protection of his armored vehicle and maneuvered 400 meters to the injured crew. In order to do so, he was required to crawl under extremely heavy enemy fire directed at him by the determined enemy. After reaching the vehicle, he again exposed himself to the enemy fire in order to treat and comfort the wounded. The personal courage of Specialist Fifth Class Fitzgerald undoubtedly saved the lives of five of his fellow Americans and the life of a Vietnamese interpreter. His actions and devotion to duty are a great credit to himself, the 3d Squadron, 5th Cavalry, and the United States Army.