Medal of Honor Recipient: Private First Class Milton A. Lee
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 1-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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