Colonel James H. Fitzgerald III
Description
Colonel James H. Fitzgerald III is being inducted into the OCS Hall of Fame for Superior Meritorious Service. He was commissioned as an Aviation Officer upon graduating as a Distinguished Military Graduate, Officer Candidate School Class 1-89, Fort Benning, Georgia, 27 January 1989. He then completed Aviation Officer Basic Course, graduating as The Leader Graduate followed by completion of the US Army Initial Flight Training Course qualifying in the UH-60 Blackhawk at Fort Rucker Alabama. His first duty assignment was to the 75th Ranger Regiment as the Aviation Liaison Officer, followed by Assault Helicopter Platoon Leader with 6th Bn, 159th Aviation Regiment, both at Fort Benning, Georgia.
His notable subsequent duty assignments include: Operations Officer, Commander Companies A, B, and C, Battalion S-3 and Battalion Executive Officer while assigned to the 5th Battalion, 159 Aviation Regiment (HVY HEL), later redesignated as (ABN). As Commander of C Company, he conducted complete activation, unit combat training and unit deployment of personnel, UH-60 aircraft, and equipment to Iraq. He next served as Aviation Force Integration Officer, Army G3/5/7; Assault Advisor, Combat Studies Group (AFG); Chief, Joint Special Operations, Command and Control Element-Afghanistan; Battalion Commander, 7th Battalion 158th Aviation Regiment; Deputy Adjutant General, US Army; Commander, Combined, Joint Special operations Air Component-Afghanistan; Division Chief, Officer Assignments Branch, US Army Human Resources Command; Commander, Special Operations Advisory Group, Special Missions Wing-Afghanistan; Senior Advisor, Senior Leader Development Office, and the US Army Human Resources Command.
His military education and training consists of: Officer Candidate School, US Army Initial Flight Training, Aviation Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Armed Services Staff School, US Army Command and General Staff College, Joint Special Operations University CT and IW, Joint Warfighting Advanced Studies Program, and the US Army War College.
His highest military awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit (w/OLC and C device), Bronze Star Medal (w/OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (w/3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (w/Silver OLC), Global Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (w/2 Star), Combat Action Badge, Master Aviator Wings, and the Air Assault Badge.
