Medal of Honor: Milton A. Lee – Vietnam War – April 26, 1968

Name: Milton A. Lee
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Army
War: Vietnam War
Unit: Company B, 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile)
Date of Action: April 26, 1968
Location: Near Phu Bai, Thua Thien Province, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action

On 26 April 1968, Private First Class Milton A. Lee distinguished himself in combat near Phu Bai, Thua Thien Province, Republic of Vietnam.

Serving as radio telephone operator for the 3d Platoon, Company B, Lee moved with the lead element of the company when the platoon was suddenly struck by intense fire from North Vietnamese Army regulars concealed in bunkers.

The ambush caused fifty percent casualties.

The platoon pulled back into cover to treat the wounded and reorganize.

Amid the heavy enemy fire, Lee moved among the casualties, administering lifesaving first aid to his wounded comrades.

When the platoon launched its assault against the enemy defenses, Lee remained in close radio contact with the company commander, relaying clear and precise orders to his platoon leader.

As he advanced with the lead rank, Lee spotted four North Vietnamese soldiers armed with automatic weapons and a rocket launcher lying in wait for the approaching Americans.

The lead element had not seen the danger.

Without hesitation, Lee handed his radio to another soldier and charged directly through murderous enemy fire.

He overran the concealed position, killed all four enemy soldiers, and captured four automatic weapons and a rocket launcher.

Then, still alone, he pressed forward against a second enemy position under a heavy barrage of automatic weapons fire.

Grievously wounded during the assault, Lee refused to stop.

He crawled forward into a firing position and laid down accurate covering fire that allowed his platoon to maneuver and destroy the bunker.

Only after the enemy position had been overrun did his fire cease and he succumb to his wounds.

His heroic actions saved the lives of the lead element and were instrumental in breaking the key position of the enemy defense.

Through fearless aggression, devotion to comrades, and supreme sacrifice, Milton A. Lee reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

LEE, MILTON A.

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.