Johnston, Iowa – The Iowa National Guard hosted Medal of Honor recipient and Vietnam Veteran, Michael J. Fitzmaurice in Sioux City this past week. The visit included a tour of the 185th Air Refueling Wing maintenance facilities, meetings with leadership and a flight on a KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft.

Fitzmaurice first joined the U.S. Army in 1969. He was presented the Medal of Honor on October 15, 1973, for his heroic actions during a battle in Khe Sanh, Vietnam, in which, despite being seriously wounded and partially blinded, he fought in hand-to-hand combat to overcome the enemy.

Medal of Honor recipient Michael J. Fitzmaurice greets 185th Air Refueling Wing members after a flight on a KC-135 September 19, 2023. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Daniel Ter Haar)

“I’m just a lucky guy,” said Fitzmaurice when asked about the events that led to receiving the Medal of Honor.

During the visit Fitzmaurice and other local Veterans witnessed aerial refueling operations from the boom pod in the rear of a KC-135. The group saw a number F-16s assigned to the South Dakota Air National Guard’s 114th Fighter Wing refueled. The flight was also the first time Fitzmaurice had been in a KC-135. “Ive seen a lot of things in my life but I’m going to have to move this to the top of my list, it was awesome,” said Fitzmaurice.

After the F-16 fighters had received their fuel, Fitzmaurice was also given the opportunity to sit up front in the flight deck the during the landing back into Sioux City. “I liked watching the pilots, they have to know so many things, it was impressive,” said Fitzmaurice.

Upon landing Fitzmaurice was greeted with a salute by 185th members and after thanking Col. Sonya Morrison, 185th Wing Commander, he took the opportunity to shake hands and personally thank each Airmen for their service.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Falcon from the South Dakota Air National Guard’s 114th Fighter Wing flies next to a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker from the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing September 19, 2023. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Daniel Ter Haar)