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Contact Info
Home Town Somerville, MA
Last Address Severna Park, MD
Date of Passing Feb 03, 1971
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Although Harold Fitz was a member of the class of 1920 at the US Naval Academy, that class was graduated in June 1919.
Other Comments:
Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Division: U.S.S. Santa Fe (CL-60)
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 345 (December 1945)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Harold Carlton Fitz, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Light Cruiser U.S.S. SANTA FE (CL-60), while serving with the fleet in action against enemy Japanese forces off the southern coast of Honshu, Japan, on 19 March 1945. Captain Fitz brought his damaged cruiser alongside the U.S.S. FRANKLIN, lying crippled in the water as the result of enemy action, and held his hazardous position to effect the rescue of great numbers of personnel. Simultaneously engaging his ship in fighting fires on board the disabled craft and heaving in on the towline from another cruiser, he aided the FRANKLIN to withdraw without further damage and contributed his gallant service until the carrier could effect emergency repairs and return to port under her own power. Captain Fitz' inspiring leadership and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of this vital mission and reflects great credit upon the United States Naval Service.
Pennsylvania Class Battleship: Displacement 31,400 Tons, Dimensions, 608' 6" (oa) x 97' 1" x 29' 10" (Max). Armament 12 x 14"/45 14 x 5"/51, 4 x 3"/50 2 x 21" tt. Armor, 13 1/2" Belt, 18" Turrets, 3" +2" Decks, 16" Conning Tower. Machinery, 34,000 SHP; Geared Turbines, 4 screws. Speed, 21 Knots, Crew 915.
Operational and Building Data: Laid down by New York Naval Ship Yard, March 16, 1914. Launched June 19, 1915. Commissioned October 17, 1916. Decommissioned (War Loss). Stricken December 1, 1942.
Fate: Sunk by Japanese aircraft during attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, December 7 1941. Arizona still rests in the berth where she sank. A Memorial to her crew was built over the wreck in 1962. 1,177 Officers and Men were lost with the ship and remain on duty inside her rusting hulk. The wreck is still bleeding fuel oil, more than 70 years after her sinking.
