Following duty on the USS Roan, Fitzgerald attended counterinsurgency training at the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado, California. Upon completion, he was assigned duties as senior U.S. advisor Coastal Defense Group Sixteen in Vietnam.
Here, he advised the Vietnam Navy on defense measures and the capture of military supplies and contraband destined for the Viet Cong forces.
About 0300 on August 7, 1967, Coastal Defense Group Sixteen 's compound came under heavy attack by two battalions of the Viet Cong. The assault began with an intense mortar bombardment followed immediately by the advance of troops.
Fitzgerald, the senior American commander, immediately ordered a retreat of civilians in the compound. Because of the compound's location and proximity of the Viet Cong, the only escape route was by water.
Lieutenant Fitzgerald and three others delayed their withdrawal as long as they could to provide covering fire and to direct fire from surrounding friendly forces. The Viet Cong attack was swift and well-planned and it soon became apparent that the South Vietnamese forces were decimated and that the American bunker was the sole place of refuge. Fitzgerald ordered the other three to retreat while he provided covering fire to cover their escape.
It was during this action that he was mortally wounded.
The USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) is named after him.
A Hero in the Truest Sense.
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