Vincent Thomas Fitzgerald, 88, Rapid City, died Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, at the Fort Meade Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He was born April 23, 1927, in Aberdeen, the son of Thomas and Carrie (Brueske) Fitzgerald.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in April 1944, during World War II. He operated a Landing Ship Vehicle Personnel (LSVP) which carried 36 troops and three crewmen during the invasion of Iwo Jima. While in the Navy he became a Plank owner (which designates one who was aboard a ship when it was commissioned and de-commissioned), and a Shellback (designates one who has crossed the equator, which he did several times). He was on the ship U.S.S. Ozark when the war ended in 1945.

Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, he attended college in Texas and returned to Redfield. He joined the South Dakota National Guard in 1955.

He married Marianne Eldredge in 1957.

He was a full time technician with the National Guard in Redfield, Belle Fourche and Rapid City. He retired as a technician and from the National Guard in 1989.

During his 38 years of military service, he progressed from the rank of Petty Officer Second Class in the Navy to Chief Warrant Officer 4 in the Army National Guard, earning the following awards: American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 stars, Navy Presidential Unit Citation with 1 star, Navy Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Navy Occupation Medal (Japan), World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 stars, Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (3rd award), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (3rd award), Army Commendation Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Meritorious Service Ribbon, and the Legion of Merit.

He was a Life Member of the VFW, National Guard Association of the United States and the South Dakota National Guard Officers Association. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, the 196th Regimental Combat Team Association, American Association of Retired Persons, the Military Officers Association of America, and was President of the Rapid City Yacht Club.

Survivors include his wife, Marianne Fitzgerald of Rapid City; five children, Mike and Jonna Fitzgerald of Denver, Barry Fitzgerald of Whitefish, MT, Vicki and Craig Sorenson of Deaver, WY, Jamie and Bonnie Fitzgerald of Rapid City, and Sheri and Hank Sponder of Rapid City; nine grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Fort Meade for the compassionate care that was provided.

The family will recieve freinds at the "Coyote Den" at Camp Rapid from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Friday, August 28, 2015.

Graveside services will be at noon Monday, Aug. 31, at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, with full military honors provided by the South Dakota Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors Team and Sturgis Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.

Click on link to view service folder