Robert Lee Fitzwater

Gunnery Sergeant Fitzwater was born on March 15th 1934 in Sybial, WV, to Reverend Eldon and Katie Fitzwater. The mountain family was large and included brothers; Eldon Jr., Don, Bill, David, Johnny, Tommy, and Jackie, and sisters; Pauline, Eunice, and Audry.

Following several of his brothers into military service, Gunnery Sergeant Fitzwater enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on March 24th, 1952. After successfully completing recruit training, aboard Paris Island, SC, Gunnery Sergeant Fitzwater entered MOS training at Courthouse Bay, aboard Camp Lejeune, NC, as an 1833-AmTrack Crewman.

In 1954, a young Corporal Fitzwater reenlisted just after serving in the Korean War and began his first tour as an Assistant Drill Instructor, aboard Paris Island, SC, followed by a tour of duty as a recruiter in the Beckley, WV MEPPS Center.

Gunnery Sergeant Fitzwater, returned to combat deploying to Vietnam, and serving multiple tours, before returning to Paris Island, where he served as an Assistant, Senior, and Series Chief Drill Instructor. After serving a final tour as a Battalion Retention NCO, in Okinawa, Japan, Gunnery Sergeant Fitzwater retired from active duty in 1971, returning for a time to West Virginia, before retiring to Jacksonville, NC in 1985.

Over twenty years of service in peacetime and times of conflict, Gunnery Sergeant Fitzwater served with honor and distinction, receiving several commendations including; Purple Heart,

United Nations Medal, Navy Commendation Medal W/ Valor Distinguishing Device, Vietnamese Campaign Medal x2, Vietnamese Service Medal w/ Three Stars, Good Conduct Medal 5th Award, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/ Palm Device. Gunnery Sergeant Fitzwater served with First, Second, and Third Marine Divisions.

Gunnery Sergeant Fitzwater is survived by his wife Barbara June. The couple has two children, Tonya and Ronald, nine grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

Services are being conducted by Johnson Funeral Home 2685 Henderson Dr. Jacksonville, NC.

Viewing will be Sunday November 8th, 2015 from 6:00-8:00. Funeral Services will be held Monday at 12:30 at Johnson Funeral Home, with a graveside ceremony at Coastal Carolina State Veterans cemetery, 110 Montford Point Rd. Jacksonville, NC.