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Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Army Sp4 Don Leslie Michael.
Congressional Medal of Honor
Episode 2945 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Army Sp4 Don Leslie Michael. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia and from a Redstone Rocket story by Skip Vaughn titled: Small town hero gave 50 years for his comrades.
In the dense jungles of Vietnam, on April 8, 1967, Army Specialist Fourth Class Don Leslie Michael found himself in the crucible of battle. His unit, part of the 1st Infantry Division, was ambushed by a larger, heavily armed enemy force. Surrounded by chaos and pinned under relentless gunfire, the 20-year-old from Florence, Alabama, refused to let fear dictate his actions.
As his comrades sought cover, Michael moved swiftly, his heart pounding with determination. He spotted an enemy machine gun nest tearing through their lines. Without hesitation, he grabbed his M16, slung extra grenades over his shoulder, and charged through the thick underbrush. Bullets zipped past him, but Michael was undeterred.
Reaching the enemy position, he unleashed his grenades with deadly precision, silencing the gunfire. But Michael wasn’t finished. He advanced further, attacking two additional positions that were hammering his unit. His actions disrupted the ambush, allowing his comrades to regroup and push back the enemy.
Michael’s courage came at the ultimate cost. Wounded multiple times, he fell in the final assault, but his selfless actions had saved countless lives.
For his extraordinary bravery, Don Leslie Michael was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His legacy endures as a symbol of heroism, reminding us that one individual’s courage can alter the course of history. Today, his name is etched among the bravest, a testament to the selfless sacrifice of America’s heroes.
Listen to Episode 2945 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Army Sp5 Edgar Lee McWethy Jr.
