Private Fitzgerald was a machine gunner in the Machine Gun Platoon, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. On 26 July 1953, while defending Hill 119, "Boulder City" along the 38th Parallel, He successfully warded off vicious enemy attacks and, although mortally wounded, saved the lives of two of his comrades.

For his leadership and valor, Private Fitzgerald was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.