Vietnam Veteran News

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Army PFC Milton L. Olive III.

Medal of Honor

Episode 2957 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Army PFC Milton L. Olive III. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia and the Chicago Veterans website.

Private First Class Milton L. Olive III was only 19 years old when he became a hero. Born in Chicago in 1946, he joined the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, hoping to serve his country. On October 22, 1965, Olive and his platoon were conducting a mission deep in the jungles of Phu Cuong, Vietnam. What began as a routine patrol soon turned into an act of extraordinary bravery.

As the platoon advanced, they were ambushed by enemy forces. Amid the chaos, an enemy soldier hurled a grenade into the midst of Olive’s unit. Without hesitation, Olive made a split-second decision that would define his legacy. Shouting a warning to his comrades, he lunged for the grenade, pulling it to his chest and shielding his fellow soldiers from the blast with his body. The explosion claimed his life instantly but saved the lives of four men.

Olive’s selfless act left an indelible mark on his comrades. “He sacrificed his life so that we could live,” one soldier later said, his voice heavy with emotion. For his actions, Olive was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration. President Lyndon B. Johnson presented the medal to Olive’s grieving parents in 1966, honoring the young man whose courage transcended the battlefield.

Today, Olive’s name is etched into the annals of history, a symbol of valor and sacrifice. His ultimate gift reminds us of the extraordinary price of freedom and the profound impact of selflessness in the face of unimaginable danger.

Listen to Episode 2957 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Army PFC Milton L. Olive III.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Marine LCpl Thomas P. Noonan Jr.

Medal of Honor

Episode 2956 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Marine LCpl Thomas P. Noonan Jr. Information featured in this episode comes from the Military Hall of Honor website.

Marine Lance Corporal Thomas P. Noonan Jr. was no stranger to courage, but on February 5, 1969, during the Vietnam War, he demonstrated extraordinary valor that would etch his name into history. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Noonan had a strong sense of duty, a trait that carried him into the ranks of the United States Marine Corps.

Noonan’s unit, part of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, was engaged in a fierce firefight near Vandegrift Combat Base in Quảng Trị Province. The Marines were tasked with moving to a new location. They were hit with enemy fire atop an unforgiving ridge. The terrain was steep, and the enemy was relentless, raining down bullets and grenades.

Amid the chaos, Noonan volunteered to lead the rescue despite the near-certain danger. Climbing the treacherous slope under a hail of enemy fire, he pressed forward with singular determination. Reaching the wounded Marines, Noonan worked tirelessly, administering aid and organizing their evacuation.

As he carried one of his comrades to safety, an enemy grenade exploded nearby, mortally wounding him. Despite his injuries, Noonan’s efforts saved lives and inspired his fellow Marines to complete the mission. For his selflessness and heroism, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Thomas P. Noonan Jr. embodied the Marine Corps ethos of honor, courage, and commitment. His sacrifice reminds us of the profound price of freedom and the enduring legacy of those who serve with unwavering valor. Today, his name is enshrined among heroes, a testament to a life of extraordinary bravery.

Listen to Episode 2956 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Marine LCpl Thomas P. Noonan Jr.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Army PFC David P. Nash.

Congressional Medal of Honor

Episode 2955 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Army CPT Hugh R. Nelson Jr. Information featured in this episode comes from the U.S. Army website.

Captain Hugh R. Nelson Jr. was a man of quiet determination and unwavering courage, qualities that etched his name into the annals of American military history. He was born on 11 July 1937 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama He graduated from Durham High School in 1955, where he played football and ran track.

He graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1959 and married Elizabeth Ann Dees on 22 July 1959.

He was commissioned in September 1963. He was stationed in Taiwan for three years, then reported for duty in South Vietnam on 2 January 1966, serving with the 114th Aviation Company (Airmobile Light).

Capt. Hugh R. Nelson, Jr., distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a member of the 114th Aviation Company (Airmobile Light) on June 5, 1966, near Moc Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. Nelson was the acting aircraft commander of a Huey helicopter on a search-and-destroy reconnaissance mission when it was struck by a large volume of enemy fire that rendered the aircraft virtually uncontrollable.

His selfless sacrifice allowed his wounded comrade to use a smoke grenade to signal supporting aircraft in the area that there were crash survivors. The supporting aircraft responded immediately, preventing the insurgents from advancing on the downed aircraft and successfully rescuing the three wounded crew members.

Nelson’s conscious decision to sacrifice his own life for that of his comrades saved the lives of his three fellow crew members that fateful day. Nelson’s distinctive accomplishments are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit and the United States Army.

Listen to Episode 2955 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Army CPT Hugh R. Nelson Jr.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Army PFC David P. Nash.

Congressional Medal of Honor

Episode 2954 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Army PFC David P. Nash. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia and the Fordham University website.

Private First Class David P. Nash was only 20 when he demonstrated an extraordinary act of selflessness and bravery in the face of danger during the Vietnam War. Born in Whitesville, Kentucky, Nash was drafted in the U.S. Army with a sense of duty to his country, serving as a grenadier in Company B, 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. His courage on December 29, 1968, would immortalize his name.

On that fateful day, Nash’s unit was in a defensive position near Giao Duc when they came under intense attack. As the battle raged, Nash noticed an enemy grenade land in the middle of his fellow soldiers. Without hesitation, he shouted a warning, leapt toward the grenade, and covered it with his body. The grenade detonated, killing Nash instantly but sparing the lives of his comrades.

PFC Nash’s sacrifice epitomized the highest ideals of military service: putting the mission and the lives of others above oneself. His heroism earned him the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award for valor. The citation highlighted his “profound concern for his comrades” and his “conspicuous gallantry.”

Decades later, his name remains etched on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and his story continues to inspire. To honor him, a road in his home town was  named in his honor.

David P. Nash’s sacrifice serves as a poignant reminder of the cost of freedom and the unyielding spirit of those who serve.

Listen to Episode 2954 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Army PFC David P. Nash.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Army SFC Robert C. Murray.

Congressional Medal of Honor

Episode 2953 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Army SFC Robert C. Murray. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia and the Fordham University website.

Under the scorching sun of March 7, 1969, in Hiep Duc District, Vietnam, Army Sergeant First Class Robert C. Murray faced a defining moment of courage and sacrifice. At just 24 years old, Murray was a platoon leader in Company B, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 196th Infantry Brigade.

Though he had the option to join a non-combat unit, Murray chose to volunteer for Ranger combat training. On June 7, 1970, Staff Sergeant Murray was serving as a squad leader with Company B, searching for enemy mortar near the village of Hiep Duc in Vietnam. When a member of the squad tripped an enemy grenade rigged as a booby trap, Murray shouted for his men to take cover. “Instantly assessing the danger to the men of his squad,” his Medal of Honor citation reads, “Staff Sgt. Murray unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own safety, threw himself on the grenade absorbing the full and fatal impact of the explosion.

By his gallant action, he prevented the death or injury of the other members of his squad.”Murray’s extraordinary bravery and devotion to his men earned him the Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in combat. His citation describes his “conspicuous gallantry” and “intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.”

Today, SFC Robert C. Murray’s legacy lives on as a symbol of the selflessness and heroism that define the finest qualities of American service members. His sacrifice continues to inspire generations, a reminder of the extraordinary price paid for freedom and the unbreakable bond of soldiers in battle.

Listen to Episode 2953 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Army SFC Robert C. Murray.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Army CSM Charles B. Morris.

Congressional Medal of Honor

Episode 2952 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Army CSM Charles B. Morris. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia and the Together We Served website.

Command Sergeant Major Charles B. Morris was a man whose courage and devotion to his comrades became legend. Born in Carroll County, Virginia in 1931, Morris joined the Army young, seeking a life of service. It was in the jungles of Vietnam, however, that his heroism would immortalize him.

On June 29, 1966, during a grueling firefight near Long Binh, Morris’s company found itself outnumbered and pinned down by a determined enemy force. With bullets cutting through the thick jungle air, Morris repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire, moving from position to position to inspire his men and direct their counterattack. When his comrades faltered under the pressure of the relentless assault, Morris charged forward, leading a counter-assault that would turn the tide of battle.

Despite being wounded four times, Morris refused evacuation. Instead, he crawled through the battlefield to deliver critical medical aid to his injured comrades. His selflessness and leadership under fire inspired his company to rally and repel the enemy force.

For his extraordinary bravery and unwavering commitment to his fellow soldiers, Charles B. Morris was awarded the Medal of Honor. The medal was a testament not only to his actions on that fateful day but also to his character as a soldier who put his comrades before himself.

Morris continued to serve his country with distinction until his retirement in 1981, leaving behind a legacy of valor and devotion that inspires soldiers to this day. He passed away in 1996, but his story remains a testament to the indomitable spirit of the American soldier.

Listen to Episode 2952 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Army CSM Charles B. Morris.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Marine Cpl William D. Morgan.

Congressional Medal of Honor

Episode 2951 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Marine Cpl William D. Morgan. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia and the Victoria Cross website.

Marine Corporal William D. Morgan, a man of unwavering courage, earned the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary valor during the Vietnam War. Born in 1947, Morgan was a quiet but determined young man who carried an unshakable sense of duty.

On February 25, 1969, near Quang Tri, Vietnam, Morgan’s unit came under intense enemy fire. As a fire team leader with Company H, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, he was tasked with protecting his fellow Marines in one of the most hostile environments of the war. That day, they were ambushed by a well-entrenched enemy force. Despite being severely outnumbered, Morgan displayed exemplary leadership and courage under fire.

Morgan had only seconds to act. Without hesitation, he charged the enemy. His selfless act saved the lives of his fellow Marines, demonstrating the depth of his devotion to those he served alongside.

Morgan succumbed to his wounds, but his legacy lived on. His bravery was recognized posthumously when he was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration.

William D. Morgan’s sacrifice embodied the highest ideals of the Marine Corps: honor, courage, and commitment. His story reminds us that true heroism lies not in seeking recognition but in selfless acts that protect and inspire others. To this day, his memory stands as a testament to the extraordinary valor of ordinary men in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Listen to Episode 2951 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Marine Cpl William D. Morgan.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Army PFC James H. Monroe

Congressional Medal of Honor

Episode 2949 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Army PFC James H. Monroe. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia and Tara Ross.

The humid jungles of Vietnam buzzed with tension on February 16, 1967, as Army Private First Class James H. Monroe prepared for yet another perilous day. At just 22, Monroe had already earned the respect of his comrades for his courage, intelligence, and selflessness. A medic assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, he understood that in this war-torn land, lives depended on his ability to remain calm under fire.

On that fateful day, Monroe’s unit was ambushed near Bong Son. The air filled with the crack of gunfire and the thunder of explosions. Without hesitation, Monroe moved through the chaos, treating wounded soldiers and pulling them to safety. His actions embodied the Army medic’s creed: “To conserve fighting strength.”

Then, a grenade landed in the midst of his comrades. Without a second thought, Monroe threw himself on it, shielding his fellow soldiers with his body. The explosion claimed his life, but his bravery saved many others.

Posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, Monroe’s citation praised his “gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.” His sacrifice was a testament to the profound courage of young men in war, and his memory endures as an example of ultimate selflessness.

James H. Monroe’s name is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a reminder of the cost of freedom. His story remains a beacon of heroism, inspiring generations to honor service and sacrifice.

Listen to Episode 2949 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Army PFC James H. Monroe.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Army SSG Ferenc Zoltán Molnár.

Congressional Medal of Honor

Episode 2949 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Army SSG Ferenc Zoltán Molnár. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia and a story about him that appeared on the West Virginia Veterans Memorial website and Wikipedia.

Staff Sergeant Ferenc Zoltán Molnár was no stranger to adversity. Born to Hungarian immigrants in West Virginia, he grew up hearing stories of resilience and courage from his family. That legacy shaped him, and it was no surprise when Molnár enlisted in the Army, seeking to serve a nation that had given his family refuge.

By 1967, Molnár was in Vietnam as a squad leader in the 4th Infantry Division. On February 3, during Operation Francis Marion, his platoon was ambushed by a heavily fortified enemy near Kontum. Outnumbered and under intense fire, Molnár quickly assessed the dire situation.

Ignoring the danger, he moved through a hail of bullets, rallying his men and coordinating their defense. When an enemy machine gun pinned his squad down, Molnár charged the position alone, neutralizing it with grenades and silencing the enemy fire. Despite sustaining serious wounds, he continued to lead his squad, carrying injured comrades to safety and ensuring they reached safety.

As the battle raged, Molnár refused evacuation. Instead, he took up a rifle and held the perimeter, repelling wave after wave of attackers until reinforcements arrived. His fearless actions saved countless lives and turned the tide of the engagement.

For his extraordinary valor, SSG Molnár was awarded the Medal of Honor. His legacy remains an enduring reminder of selflessness and courage, exemplifying the highest ideals of military service.

Listen to Episode 2949 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Army SSG Ferenc Zoltán Molnár.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Marine COL Robert J. Modrzejewski.

Congressional Medal of Honor

Episode 2948 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Marine COL Robert J. Modrzejewski. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia and a story from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service titled: Medal of Honor recipient Col. Robert J. Modrzejewski Court that was submitted by Cpl Desmond Andrews.

Colonel Robert J. Modrzejewski, a Marine Corps legend, embodied valor during the Vietnam War. On July 15, 1966, as a captain commanding Company K, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, his courage and leadership would etch his name into history.

Deep in Quang Tri Province, Captain Modrzejewski and his company embarked on a critical blocking mission. Surrounded by dense jungle, they soon found themselves outnumbered and encircled by a determined North Vietnamese Army battalion. Facing overwhelming odds, he rallied his men, refusing to falter.

Over the next two days, Modrzejewski directed a fierce defense, holding the perimeter despite relentless assaults. Under continuous fire, he personally redistributed ammunition, inspired his Marines, and coordinated devastating counterattacks. On one occasion, he led a daring charge to secure an exposed flank, driving back enemy forces with rifle fire and grenades.

For his extraordinary heroism, Modrzejewski received the Medal of Honor from President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1967. His actions symbolized the Marine Corps’ core values: honor, courage, and commitment.

Even after retiring, Modrzejewski’s story inspired generations, a testament to selfless leadership in the crucible of combat. His legacy endures, not only in the annals of military history but in the hearts of those who serve.

Listen to Episode 2948 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Marine COL Robert J. Modrzejewski.