[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 52 (Monday, March 26, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E371-E372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING PFC MILTON LEE OLIVE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 26, 2018

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
legendary hero, PFC Milton Lee Olive, III.

[[Page E372]]

  PFC Milton Lee Olive, III was born on November 7, 1946 in Chicago, 
IL. His mother died during the childbirth and his dad had no way to 
work and raise him. But his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Milton Olive, 
from the Lexington, MS area stepped in. They went to Chicago 
immediately and brought him home with them and raised him in Lexington.
  Upon graduation from High school in Holmes County, Lexington in 1965, 
young Milton went back to Chicago to live with his father and step-
mother and during that summer he volunteered for the Army. He was then 
shipped out to participate in the hottest part of the Vietnam War.
  On October 22, 1965 while on patrol near Phu Cuong, Vietnam, PFC 
Milton Lee Olive, III and other soldiers of the Bravo Company 2nd/503rd 
Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade were given the mission of 
securing a 60-square-mile area known as War Zone D, or the ``Iron 
Triangle.'' As the soldiers moved through the thick jungle brush trying 
to locate Viet Cong enemies, they came under fire but were able to push 
the enemy back.
  As PFC Milton Lee Olive and four other soldiers, two of them black 
and two of them white, were in pursuit of the Viet Cong enemies, one of 
the enemy turned and threw a hand grenade into the middle of the 
platoon. Immediately, PFC Olive dashed forward yelling ``I've got it,'' 
smothering a live grenade into his middle and moved away from the 
others, sacrificed his life to save others by falling on the grenade 
and absorbing the full blast.
  PFC Milton Lee Olive, III's selfless act of bravery saved the lives 
of four soldiers but ended his own life. He was just 18 years old.
  PFC Milton Lee Olive, III was awarded a memorial plaque in his memory 
of his bravery. He was the first African-American soldier and recipient 
of the Vietnam War to be honored America's highest military 
decoration--the Medal of Honor--from the United States Army as a 
soldier for his actions of bravery in the Vietnam War.
  PFC Milton Lee Olive, III's monument was erected and can be visited 
in Holmes County at Miles Hill, south of Lexington, MS. There is also a 
park in Chicago bearing the young hero's name.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing PFC Milton 
Lee Olive, III for his bravery and dedication to the United States 
Military.

                          ____________________