In 1966, while Bill Fitzgerald was attending college he developed an increasing awareness of issues around the Vietnam war. In his assessment it was “a tough thing.” As he continued his coursework Bill did a project on Vietnam and he also had a history teacher who explained why the U.S. was in Vietnam. When Bill understood the basis of why our country was at war, he said “I can give them two years.”
When Bill informed his friends that he intended to enlist in the Marine Corps, he repeatedly heard that if you go in for two years, you will go into infantry. Bill’s reasoning and commitments to join the Marine Corps never left him.
After graduating bootcamp and being assigned to the infantry, Bill underwent Infantry Regiment Training (IRT). This training gave Bill hands on experience in firing real weapons, “it was kind of exciting in a way,” Bill recalled. He handled new weapons such as Bazooka guns (man-portable recoilless rocket antitank) and M79 grenade launchers. During this training Marines developed muscle memory. This training was valuable to Bill because when the time comes, this muscle memory and training ensures Marines don’t panic. For instance, if a Marine finds himself in a situation where your fellow Marine is knocked off by an M60 machine gun, another Marine can immediately step in no problem.
In San Diego, California Bill boarded a ship: destination Vietnam. As a combat Marine Bill learned his own strengths under war time conditions. He embodied a time-honored Marine Corps imperative: improvise as needed and get the job done. He also lived Marine Corps camaraderie so much so that he could rely on other Marines, no matter what. This held true for him whether a Marine was being transferred in or Bill was being moved. He held a faith in the other Marine. He also learned from other Marines.
On his first day in Vietnam, he was shot at. “Holy ****!” he thought, “this isn’t the movies.” On his first day he also met Marine sniper Carlos Hathcock. As Bill watched Carlos fire a weapon, he admired the improvised adaptations Carlos configured to better fire his 50-caliber rifle with scope. Until that moment Bill never knew things like this existed.
In the photo below, Bill is on top of a hooch. In this photo Bill’s repairs to his trousers are evident. When stepping over a rice paddy Bill’s trousers split at the crotch seam. A lieutenant questioned Bill about his uniform repair and Bill said it was his air conditioning. The next day the lieutenant returned with new trousers for the Marines. While the lieutenant took away his air conditioning, nothing could take away that moment of pleasure where Bill was not wearing a helmet. In the war, no one ever took off their helmet.
While Bill was unscathed by this helmet-less moment, he was challenged moment by moment, day by day. For 13 consecutive patrols Bill served as point man. When the team returned from the last patrol Bill said to the lieutenant “I’m not doing that anymore. I’m fried. I think my luck has run out.” Bill never had to go out on point again.
Bill’s unit’s home base in Vietnam was Hill 55. He never had a problem with the type and quality of food served. However, going back and forth from eating rations on patrol and being on home base and at times being offered lobster, milk and ice cream he noted the body didn’t always adjust to these radical dietary switches. As Bill found out, being away from home can bring on things a Marine can miss. For Bill, in order, he missed: 1. A toilet, 2. Ice cream cake in a roll and 3. Sex.
On his last day of patrol Bill was the radio man on the team. In an ambush, Bill took 3 rounds in his foot. The hit knocked him off his feet and he landed upside down in a rice paddy. While still under fire, within a split second of his fall, two Marines (as taught in IRT) thrust their rifle butts down for Bill to latch onto. Perhaps because there was so much adrenaline in that moment or maybe something else was at play, nevertheless two Marines pulled Bill out of the murky water with such strength and speed that he went flying past them.
This event would be the end of Bill’s career in the Marine Corps. There were no other options but for the Marine Corps to medically retire Bill. When asked, what professional achievements he is most proud of from his military service, Bill stated, “I was a good Marine.”
Bill’s injuries left a portion of his leg unrepairable. He underwent an amputation and recovered in two naval hospitals over several months. Patients on the amputee ward were not permitted to leave the hospital, in fact they had no civilian clothes. In true Marine fashion Bill snuck out of the hospital in pajamas, a blue bathrobe and one shoe. He and a friend spent the evening in McSorley’s Old Ale House, the oldest bar in New York. In the early morning and on crutches, Bill snuck back in the hospital, none the wiser.
Bill left the Marine Corps with strong skills and confidence in himself which he has drawn on to be successful in the business world. Bill affirms the Marine Corps was the right branch of service for him. For those Marines who are currently serving he advises: “Pay attention. Whatever your MOS is, make sure you know it and do it. If you’re in infantry, you need to know how to take over multiple roles.” On the other hand, he has also learned through experience to put on your uniform and go to the highest-level bars as it seems a Marine can be sent complimentary, unlimited drinks.
If the country is good enough to live in, it’s good enough to fight for. With privilege goes responsibility.
Eugene B. Sledge
With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa
This Marine Spotlight interview was with:
Name: Bill Fitzgerald
Years of service: 1966 – 1967
MOS: 0311 Infantry Rifleman
Rank: E4
Leave a Reply