Congressional Medal of Honor Society

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Vietnam War - U.S. Army

Milton Arthur Lee

Details
  • Rank: Private First Class
  • Conflict/Era: Vietnam War
  • Unit/Command:
    3d Platoon, Company B, 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry, 1st Brigade,
    101st Airborne Division (Airmobile)
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: April 26, 1968
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: near Phu Bai, Thua Thien Province, Republic of Vietnam
Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Lee distinguished himself near the city of Phu Bai in the province of Thua Thien. Pfc. Lee was serving as the radio telephone operator with the 3d Platoon, Company B. As lead element for the company, the 3d Platoon received intense surprise hostile fire from a force of North Vietnamese Army regulars in well-concealed bunkers. With 50 percent casualties, the platoon maneuvered to a position of cover to treat their wounded and reorganize, while Pfc. Lee moved through the heavy enemy fire giving lifesaving first aid to his wounded comrades. During the subsequent assault on the enemy defensive positions, Pfc. Lee continuously kept close radio contact with the company commander, relaying precise and understandable orders to his platoon leader. While advancing with the front rank toward the objective, Pfc. Lee observed four North Vietnamese soldiers with automatic weapons and a rocket launcher lying in wait for the lead element of the platoon. As the element moved forward, unaware of the concealed danger, Pfc. Lee immediately and with utter disregard for his own personal safety, passed his radio to another soldier and charged through the murderous fire. Without hesitation he continued his assault, overrunning the enemy position, killing all occupants, and capturing four automatic weapons and a rocket launcher. Pfc. Lee continued his one-man assault on the second position through a heavy barrage of enemy automatic-weapons fire. Grievously wounded, he continued to press the attack, crawling forward into a firing position and delivering accurate covering fire to enable his platoon to maneuver and destroy the position. Not until the position was overrun did Pfc. Lee falter in his steady volume of fire and succumb to his wounds. Pfc. Lee's heroic actions saved the lives of the lead element and were instrumental in the destruction of the key position of the enemy defense. Pfc. Lee's gallantry at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, the 502d Infantry, and the U.S. Army.
Medal of Honor Recipient Milton A. Lee
Medal of Honor Recipient Milton A. Lee
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
  • Awarded Posthumously: Yes
  • Presentation Date & Details: April 7, 1970
    The White House, presented by Pres. Richard M. Nixon to his family
  • Born: February 28, 1949, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, LA, United States
  • Died: April 26, 1968, Republic of Vietnam
  • Buried: Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery (MH) (A-2475), San Antonio, TX, United States
 

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