Medal of Honor: Don Leslie Michael – Vietnam War – April 8, 1967

Name: Don Leslie Michael
Rank: Specialist Fourth Class
Branch: U.S. Army
War: Vietnam War
Unit: Company C, 4th Battalion, 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade
Date of Action: April 8, 1967
Location: Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action

On 8 April 1967, Specialist Fourth Class Don Leslie Michael distinguished himself while serving with Company C, 4th Battalion, 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade.

His platoon was moving through an area of suspected enemy activity when one squad advanced to investigate signs of recent movement.

After moving about 125 meters, the squad encountered a lone Viet Cong soldier.

When the squad machine gunner opened fire, concealed enemy troops in a bunker to the right front suddenly unleashed a devastating barrage of automatic-weapons fire.

The volume of fire pinned down the entire squad and halted all movement.

Recognizing the danger, Michael exposed himself and hurled two grenades toward the bunker.

The enemy position continued firing.

From the left flank, he crawled and maneuvered forward with two more grenades until he was within twenty meters of the bunker.

Again exposing himself, he threw them—but they failed to detonate.

Undeterred, Michael fought his way back through the fire to obtain more grenades.

Armed again, he began a third assault toward the bunker, even as friendly artillery rounds crashed around the enemy position.

As he neared the objective, an enemy soldier sprang from concealment.

Michael killed him with his rifle and pressed on through the exploding artillery and enemy fire.

He successfully destroyed the bunker position and broke the ambush.

Then, refusing to stop, he pursued the retreating enemy.

When his comrades finally reached him, they found he had been mortally wounded.

His fearless determination and repeated assaults saved the lives of many fellow soldiers and destroyed a dangerous enemy force.

Medal of Honor Citation

MICHAEL, DON LESLIE

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Michael, U.S. Army, distinguished himself while serving with Company C. Sp4c. Michael was part of a platoon which was moving through an area of suspected enemy activity. While the rest of the platoon stopped to provide security, the squad to which Sp4c. Michael was assigned moved forward to investigate signs of recent enemy activity. After moving approximately 125 meters, the squad encountered a single Viet Cong soldier. When he was fired upon by the squad’s machine gunner, other Viet Cong opened fire with automatic weapons from a well-concealed bunker to the squad’s right front. The volume of enemy fire was so withering as to pin down the entire squad and halt all forward movement. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Sp4c. Michael exposed himself to throw 2 grenades, but failed to eliminate the enemy position. From his position on the left flank, Sp4c. Michael maneuvered forward with 2 more grenades until he was within 20 meters of the enemy bunkers, when he again exposed himself to throw 2 grenades, which failed to detonate. Undaunted, Sp4c. Michael made his way back to the friendly positions to obtain more grenades. With 2 grenades in hand, he again started his perilous move towards the enemy bunker, which by this time was under intense artillery fire from friendly positions. As he neared the bunker, an enemy soldier attacked him from a concealed position. Sp4c. Michael killed him with his rifle and, in spite of the enemy fire and the exploding artillery rounds, was successful in destroying the enemy positions. Sp4c. Michael took up pursuit of the remnants of the retreating enemy. When his comrades reached Sp4c. Michael, he had been mortally wounded. His inspiring display of determination and courage saved the lives of many of his comrades and successfully eliminated a destructive enemy force. Sp4c. Michael’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect the utmost credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.