Don Leslie Michael

Don Leslie Michael (HM1BIQ)

Location: Florence, AL 35630 Lauderdale County
Buy Alabama State flags at Flagstore.com!
Country: United States of America
Buy United States of America flags at Flagstore.com!

N 34° 48.715', W 87° 37.446'

  • 0 likes
  • 0 check ins
  • 0 favorites
  • 503 views
Inscription
Michael, Don Leslie
Rank and Organization: Specialist Fourth class, U.S. Army, Company C, 4th Battalion, 503D Infantry, 173D Airborne Brigade.
Place and Date: Republic of Vietnam, 8 April, 1967.
Entered service at: Montgomery, Ala.Born: 31 July 1947, Florence, Ala.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. SP4C. Michael, U.S. Army, distinguished himself while serving with Company C. SP4C. Michael was part of a platoon, which was moving through an area of suspected enemy activity. While the rest of the platoon stopped to provide security, the squad to which SP4C. Michael was assigned moved forward to investigate signs of recent enemy activity. After moving approximately 125 meters, the squad encountered a single Viet Cong soldier. When he was fired upon by the squad's machine gunner, other Viet Cong opened fire with automatic weapons from a well-concealed bunker to the squad's right front. The volume of enemy fire was so withering as to pin down the entire squad and halt all forward movement. Realizing the gravity of the situation SP4C. Michael exposed himself to throw 2 grenades, but failed to eliminate the enemy position. From his position on the left flank, SP4C. Michael maneuvered forward with 2 more grenades, until he was within 20 meters of the enemy bunkers. When he again exposed himself to throw 2 grenades, which failed to detonate. Undaunted, SP4C. Michael made his way back to the friendly positions to obtain more grenades. With 2 grenades in hand he again started his perilous move towards the enemy bunker, which by this time was under intense artillery fire from friendly positions. As he neared the bunker, an enemy soldier attacked him from a concealed position. SP4C. Michael killed him with his rifle and, in spite of the enemy fire and the exploding artillery rounds, was successful in destroying the enemy positions. SP4C. Michael took up pursuit of the remnants of the retreating enemy. When his comrades reached SP4C. Michael, he had been mortally wounded. His inspiring display of determination and courage saved the lives of many of his comrades and successfully eliminated a destructive enemy force. SP4C. Michael's actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect the utmost credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.
Don Leslie Michael
United States Army
Medal of Honor
Lauderdale County
July 31, 1947 ~ April 8, 1967
Details
HM NumberHM1BIQ
Series This marker is part of the Medal of Honor Recipients series
Tags
Marker ConditionNo reports yet
Date Added Thursday, September 4th, 2014 at 1:30pm PDT -07:00
Pictures
Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.
Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)16S E 442919 N 3852363
Decimal Degrees34.81191667, -87.62410000
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 34° 48.715', W 87° 37.446'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds34° 48' 42.90" N, 87° 37' 26.76" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Area Code(s)256
Closest Postal AddressAt or near 15020 Veterans Park Dr, Florence AL 35630, US
Alternative Maps Google Maps, MapQuest, Bing Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSR Maps, OpenCycleMap, MyTopo Maps, OpenStreetMap

Is this marker missing? Are the coordinates wrong? Do you have additional information that you would like to share with us? If so, check in.

Nearby Markersshow on map
Check Ins  check in   |    all

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.

Comments 0 comments

Maintenance Issues
  1. What historical period does the marker represent?
  2. What historical place does the marker represent?
  3. What type of marker is it?
  4. What class is the marker?
  5. What style is the marker?
  6. Does the marker have a number?
  7. What year was the marker erected?
  8. Who or what organization placed the marker?
  9. This marker needs at least one picture.
  10. Can this marker be seen from the road?
  11. Is the marker in the median?