Milton L. Olive III facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Milton Lee Olive III
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Private First Class Milton L. Olive III
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| Born | November 7, 1946 Chicago, Illinois |
| Died | October 22, 1965 (aged 18) Phu Cuong, South Vietnam |
| Place of burial |
West Grove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, Lexington, Mississippi
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| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
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 (born November 7, 1946 – died October 22, 1965) was a brave soldier in the United States Army. He received America's highest military award, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Vietnam War. At just 18 years old, Olive gave his life to save his fellow soldiers. He was the first African-American soldier to receive the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War.
A Hero's Story
Milton Olive joined the Army in 1964 from his hometown of Chicago, Illinois. By 1965, he was serving as a Private First Class in Vietnam. On October 22, 1965, Olive was moving through the jungle with four other soldiers. An enemy grenade was thrown near them. To save his friends, Olive bravely jumped on the grenade, using his own body to smother the explosion.
His selfless act saved the lives of the other four soldiers. Because of his incredible bravery, he was awarded the Medal of Honor after his death. On April 21, 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson presented Olive's Medal of Honor to his father and stepmother. Two of the soldiers Olive saved were also there. Olive's body was brought back to the United States and buried in Lexington, Mississippi.
Honoring a Hero
Many places have been named to remember Milton Olive's bravery. In 1966, a park and a special plaque were dedicated in his honor. In 1999, the city of Chicago named Olive Park on Lake Michigan after him.
Olive-Harvey College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago, is named after Milton Olive and another Medal of Honor recipient, Carmel Bernon Harvey Jr.. A middle school in Wyandanch, Long Island, is also named in his honor.
In 2007, a historical marker was placed in Lexington, Mississippi, to remember him. Fort Campbell has a recreation facility named after him. In 2012, Fort Benning, Georgia, named a training facility "Olive Hall" in his honor.
Honor Field at Fort Polk, Louisiana, is a one-mile track with a plaque explaining Olive's heroic actions. This field is used for many military events and training. Milton Olive's statue is also part of the African-American Medal of Honor Recipients Memorial in Wilmington, Delaware.
In the 2020 film Da 5 Bloods, Milton Olive is briefly mentioned. A character wishes for more movies to show black war heroes like him.
See Also
In Spanish: Milton L. Olive III para niños
- List of African-American Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War
- Military history of African Americans in the Vietnam War
Images for kids
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Milton L. Olive III plaque at Honor Field in Fort Polk, Louisiana.
