Milton L. Olive III
Milton Lee Olive III | |
|---|---|
Private First Class Milton L. Olive III | |
| Born | November 7, 1946 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | October 22, 1965 (aged 18) Phu Cuong, South Vietnam |
| Place of burial | West Grove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, Lexington, Mississippi |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1964–1965 |
| Rank | Private First Class |
| Unit | Company B, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade |
| Battles / wars | Vietnam War † |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
Milton Lee Olive III (November 7, 1946 – October 22, 1965) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of America's highest military decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his heroic action in the Vietnam War, when, at the age of 18, Olive sacrificed his life to save others by falling on a grenade. In doing so, he became the first African-American recipient of the Medal of Honor from the Vietnam War.