LEE, MILTON A.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company B, 2nd Battalion,
502d Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile)
Place: Near Phu Bal, Thua Thien Province, Republic of
Vietnam
Date: 26 April 1968
Entered service at: San Antonio, Texas
Born: 28 February 1949, Shreveport, Louisiana
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 3rd Platoon, Company B. As lead
element for the Company, the 3rd 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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--- General / Personal ---
Last name: LEE
First name: MILTON ARTHUR
Home of Record (official): SAN ANTONIO
State (official): TX
Date of Birth: Monday, February 28, 1949
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Single
--- Military ---
Branch: Army
Rank: PFC
Serial Number: 15959258
Component: Regular
Pay grade: E3
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 11B1P
--- Action ---
Start of Tour: Tuesday, December 19, 1967
Date of Casualty: Friday, April 26, 1968
Age at time of loss: 19
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Gun, small arms fire (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Thua Thien
The Wall: Panel 52E - Row 021
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