MEDAL OF HONOR: Lt. Col. Hal Fritz to speak at GSL Peoria November 5th

Ronald Reagan once asked the question, “Where do we find such men?”

The President was referring, of course, to men who have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for extraordinary acts of valor.

We’re humbled to announce our Thursday, November 5, 2015 speaker for our Peoria Guns Save Life meeting will be one of these men, Lieutenant Colonel Hal Fritz.

We’ve hosted some remarkable men who have done extraordinary things in their lives to our meetings as speakers, and this one will surely be a night you’ll remember for the rest of your life as well.

Bring your kids and grandkids.  Bring your friends.  It’s not everyday you get to meet a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient.

To Ronald Reagan’s question:  God provides such men and our great nation molds them.  Only about half of them survive their gallant acts to receive our meager thanks as a nation.

Here is his 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 Quần Lợi. Capt. Fritz was leading his 7-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 2 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 the greatest credit upon himself, his unit, and the Armed Forces