[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 124 (Thursday, September 19, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING LIEUTENANT COLONEL HAROLD FRITZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHERI BUSTOS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 2013

  Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about Lieutenant 
Colonel Harold Fritz of Peoria, Illinois, who is one of only three 
living Medal of Honor recipients in Illinois today. The Medal of Honor 
is our Nation's highest military honor and is awarded for personal acts 
of valor that go well above and beyond the call of duty.
  Lieutenant Colonel Fritz, who went by ``Hal,'' was born in Chicago 
and currently lives in Peoria. He was awarded the Medal of Honor due to 
his brave service in Vietnam.
  During a jungle firefight, then First Lieutenant Fritz displayed 
exemplary leadership despite suffering serious wounds. Lieutenant 
Colonel Fritz was leading his 7-vehicle armored column to meet and 
escort a truck convoy when they suddenly came under intense fire from 
enemy combatants. Lieutenant Colonel Fritz' vehicle was hit, and he was 
seriously wounded. Realizing that his men were completely surrounded 
and outnumbered, Lieutenant Colonel Fritz leaped to the top of his 
burning vehicle and directed the positioning of his remaining vehicles 
and men.
  Without thinking of his own safety, he ran from vehicle to vehicle in 
complete view of the enemy gunners in order to help his men. Armed only 
with a pistol and bayonet, he led a small group of his men in a charge 
which inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. Despite being wounded, 
Lieutenant Colonel Fritz assisted his men and refused medical attention 
until all of his wounded soldiers had been treated.
  Lieutenant Colonel Fritz is currently the President of the 
Congressional Medal of Honor Society and resides in Peoria. I wish him 
all the best and want to thank him again for his brave and dedicated 
service to our Nation.

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