February 13, 2020
Today, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) recognizes Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Army Pfc. Milton L. Olive III.
Olive joined the Army in his birth city of Chicago, Ill., in 1964 and by 1965 was serving in Company B, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam.
February 13, 2020
Today, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) recognizes Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Army Pfc. Milton L. Olive III.
Olive joined the Army in his birth city of Chicago, Ill., in 1964 and by 1965 was serving in Company B, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam.
On Oct. 22, 1965, Olive’s platoon faced a heavy volume of enemy fire and were pinned down temporarily. The platoon then retaliated by assaulting the Viet Cong positions causing the enemy to flee. As the platoon pursued the insurgents, Olive and four other soldiers were moving through the jungle together when a grenade landed in their midst. Without thinking of his own welfare, Olive grabbed the grenade and fell on top of it to absorb the blast saving the lives of his fellow soldiers.
For his bravery, selflessness and ultimate sacrifice, Olive posthumously earned the Medal of Honor on April 21, 1966, when President Lyndon B. Johnson presented the medal to his father and stepmother.
Olive became the first African-American Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War.
Olive was a true hero and selfless soldier who placed the lives of his fellow soldiers before self in defense of freedom.
This is part of a series of VFW feature articles to be published throughout February 2020, highlighting African-American veterans who have made outstanding contributions to our military and society.
On Oct. 22, 1965, Olive’s platoon faced a heavy volume of enemy fire and were pinned down temporarily. The platoon then retaliated by assaulting the Viet Cong positions causing the enemy to flee. As the platoon pursued the insurgents, Olive and four other soldiers were moving through the jungle together when a grenade landed in their midst. Without thinking of his own welfare, Olive grabbed the grenade and fell on top of it to absorb the blast saving the lives of his fellow soldiers.
For his bravery, selflessness and ultimate sacrifice, Olive was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on April 21, 1966, when President Lyndon B.Johnson presented the medal to his father and stepmother.
Olive became the first African-American Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War.
Olive was a true hero and selfless soldier who placed the lives of his fellow soldiers before self in defense of freedom.
This is part of a series of VFW feature articles to be published throughout February 2020, highlighting African-American veterans who have made outstanding contributions to our military and society.
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Golden Rule Publishing Company will again have Sales Representatives in areas throughout the state of Illinois. They will also be contacting local businesses to sell advertisement space in Convention Program Book, Voice of Democracy Book, and the Fall Program Conference Book. If you need to Contact Golden Rule Publishing, you may call them 1-800-433-4680 or 317-897-6704.Click here for a copy of a letter to display in your Post. Please share with your members.
Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit - Click here for more InformationWee have just added a new item to the Resources tab. We now have Job Listings. Take a look and let us know what you think or if you know of someone looking to hire Veterans, let them know that we do post jobs.
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