Ordinary Seaman Joseph Fitz, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on March 8, 1906 in Mount Dajo, Jolo, Philippine Islands during the Philippine Insurrection. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Pampanga. Fitz was 19 years old.
Fitz was born on May 24, 1886 in Austria — one of 6 recipients born in Austria. His Medal of Honor is credited to Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. Fitz died on February 24, 1945 in Des Moines, Iowa, at the age of 58. He is buried at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa.
Fitz is one of 82 Medal of Honor recipients from the Philippine Insurrection and one of 55 credited to Iowa.
Official Medal of Honor citation
On board the U.S.S. Pampanga, Mount Dajo Jolo, Philippine Islands, 8 March 1906. Serving in the presence of the enemy on this date, Fitz displayed bravery and extraordinary heroism.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Philippine–American War.
Places
Timeline
- May 24, 1886Born in Austria
- March 8, 1906Act of valor — Mount Dajo, Jolo, Philippine IslandsAge 19. U.S.S. Pampanga
- February 24, 1945Died in Des Moines, IowaAge 58.
- Resting placeGlendale CemeteryDes Moines, Iowa
Biography
Joseph Fitz (May 24, 1886 – February 24, 1945) was a United States Navy Ordinary Seaman who received the Medal of Honor for actions on March 8, 1906, during the Philippine–American War. He served in the navy from 1900 to 1910, and later obtained the rank of seaman.
From the Wikipedia article “Joseph Fitz”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
