On January 1, 1969, First Lieutenant Harold Fritz led a seven-vehicle armored cavalry platoon into one of the fiercest ambushes of the Vietnam War. While escorting a truck convoy along the dangerous stretch of Highway 13, his unit was suddenly surrounded by a reinforced enemy company. Hit in the opening salvo and seriously wounded, LT Fritz refused to fall back.

Instead, he climbed atop his burning vehicle and—under a hail of enemy fire—reorganized his troops, assisted the wounded, distributed ammo, and kept the fight alive. When the enemy charged, he grabbed a machine gun and repelled the attack. When they charged again—within just two meters—Fritz led a brutal counterattack with a pistol and bayonet, inspiring his men to hold the line.

Even after a relief force arrived, Fritz ran through the gunfire to position them effectively, breaking the enemy’s will to fight. His fearless leadership and refusal to quit saved countless lives and turned the tide of the battle.

For his extraordinary heroism, Harold Fritz was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor 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 seven-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 two 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 greatest credit upon himself, his unit, and the Armed Forces.

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Photos Courtesy Wikimedia Commons & Medal of Honor Project

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