Medal of Honor: Milton L. Olive III, Vietnam War, October 22, 1965

Name: Milton L. Olive III
Rank: Private First Class
War: Vietnam War
Date of Action: October 22, 1965
Unit: Company B, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade
Born: November 7, 1946 – Chicago, Illinois
Entered Service From: Chicago, Illinois

Summary of Action
Deep in the jungles near Phu Cuong, South Vietnam, the 173rd Airborne Brigade was on the move when a Viet Cong ambush erupted. Gunfire crackled through the trees, grenades flew, and five paratroopers — including 18-year-old Pfc. Milton Olive III — dove for cover. In the chaos, one grenade landed among them.

Without hesitation, Olive shouted a warning, grabbed the grenade, and fell upon it — absorbing the full force of the explosion with his own body. His selfless act saved the lives of all four men around him.

Milton Olive was the first African American Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War. His courage under fire transcended race, rank, and fear — proving that in the heart of combat, the greatest act of valor is the gift of one’s own life for others.

Medal of Honor Citation
OLIVE, MILTON L. III
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. Place and date: Phu Cuong, Republic of Vietnam, 22 October 1965. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Born: 7 November 1946, Chicago, Ill. G.O. No.: 18, 26 April 1966.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Olive was a member of the 3d Platoon of Company B, as it moved through the jungle to find the Viet Cong operating in the area. Although the platoon was subjected to a heavy volume of enemy gunfire and pinned down temporarily, it retaliated by assaulting the Viet Cong positions, causing the enemy to flee. As the platoon pursued the insurgents, Pfc. Olive and 4 other soldiers were moving through the jungle together when a grenade was thrown into their midst. Pfc. Olive saw the grenade, and then saved the lives of his fellow soldiers at the sacrifice of his own by grabbing the grenade in his hand and falling on it to absorb the blast with his body. Through his bravery, unhesitating actions, and complete disregard for his safety, he prevented additional loss of life or injury to the members of his platoon. Pfc. Olive’s extraordinary heroism, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, is in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.