Michael Edward Bitz
Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps

On 23 March 2003, then-Sergeant Michael Edward Bitz was serving as Crew Chief and Assistant Section Leader, Third Assault Amphibian Vehicle Section, Company C, First Battalion, Second Marines, Task Force Tarawa, First Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On that date, during the attack on An Nasiriyah, Iraq, Sgt Bitz’s vehicle sustained a direct hit from a rocket-propelled grenade, setting it on fire. Aware that there were several casualties on board, Sgt Bitz maneuvered his vehicle to Company C's defensive perimeter and assisted in moving the wounded to the casualty collection point (CCP). Without an amphibious assault vehicle to command and under unrelenting enemy small-arms and artillery fire, Sgt Bitz picked up his rifle and joined a squad of the 3rd Platoon in a deliberate assault. Sgt Bitz's efforts substantially aided the platoon and, after the squad sustained several casualties, Sgt Bitz ignored his own wounds and helped in loading the others onto an evacuation vehicle. Despite receiving unrelenting fire, Sgt Bitz mounted a different vehicle to provide security for the casualties. While escorting the wounded during movement, Sgt Bitz was mortally wounded by enemy fire when his vehicle sustained a direct hit from a rocket-propelled grenade. Sgt Bitz’s decisive leadership and courageous actions that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Marine Corps' third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals and Awards

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Navy & Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon
Navy & Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with Bronze Star

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Michael Edward Bitz, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Crew Chief and Assistant Section Leader, Third Assault Amphibian Vehicle Section, Company C, First Battalion, Second Marines, Task Force TARAWA, FIRST Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 23 March 2003. During the attack on An Nasiriyah, Iraq, Sergeant Bitz's vehicle sustained a direct hit from a rocket-propelled grenade, setting it on fire. Aware that there were several casualties on board, he maneuvered his vehicle to the company's defensive perimeter. He immediately assisted in moving the wounded to the casualty collection point. Without an amphibious assault vehicle to command and under unrelenting enemy small-arms and artillery fire, he picked up his rifle and joined a squad of the Third Platoon in a deliberate assault. His efforts substantially aided the platoon and, after the squad sustained several casualties, Sergeant Bitz ignored his own wounds and helped in loading the others onto an evacuation vehicle. Despite receiving unrelenting fire, Sergeant Bitz mounted a different vehicle to provide security for the casualties. While escorting the wounded during movement, Sergeant Bitz was mortally wounded by enemy fire when his vehicle sustained a direct hit from a rocket-propelled grenade. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Sergeant Bitz reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest tradition of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Burial

Sergeant Michael Edward Bitz is buried at the Port Arthur Cemetery in Port Arthur, Tasman Council, Tasmania, Australia.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/188845311/michael-edward-bitz