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Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S.
Army, Company B, 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st
Airborne Division (Airmobile). place and date: Near Phu Bai, Thua
Thien province, Republic of Vietnam, 26 April 1968. Entered service
at: San Antonio, Tex. Born: 28 February 1949, Shreveport, La.
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 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. |
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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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Lee, Milton A.
