
The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*LEE, MILTON
A.|
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company B,
2d Battalion, 502d Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). Place
and date: Near phu Bai, Thua Thien province, Republic of Vietnam, 26 April 1968. Entered
service at: San Antonio, Tex. Born: 28 February 1949, Shreveport, La.
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 4 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 4
automatic weapons and a rocket launcher. Pfc. Lee continued his l-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.
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