Memorial Day

We were moving over the Memorial Day weekend, and still have no Internet access at our new place, so this post is a day late. The citations for all Medals of Honor awarded to date are here. There are some powerful stories here - stories of heroism, pride, dedication, ability and courage. One in particular is meaningful to me, as I just moved across the street from Olive Park, named for this man:

*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.

C.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 with 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 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 are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.

Pfc. Olive's bravery is not unique; nor, sadly, is his sacrifice. When someone says we cannot produce such men today, tell them we do:

As Dunham searched for insurgents who had ambushed his battalion's convoy, he approached a run-down white Toyota Land Cruiser. The driver, an Iraqi in a black track suit and loafers, grabbed Dunham by the throat, the newspaper reported. Dunham kneed him in the chest, before the two tumbled to the ground.

Two other Marines rushed to the scene, and Dunham was heard yelling, "No, no, no - watch his hand."

And then, his fellow Marines believe, Dunham placed his Kevlar helmet and his body on top of the grenade to protect his battalion mates, the Wall Street Journal said. The grenade then exploded, leaving Dunham mortally wounded.

Posted by Jeff at June 1, 2004 11:30 AM | Link Cosmos