Streeterville in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Private First Class Milton L. Olive, III, United States Army

Milton L. Olive III memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 25, 2026

1. Milton L. Olive III memorial

Inscription.

Private First Class Milton L. Olive, III, United States Army. . The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor, posthumously, to Private First Class Milton L. Olive, III, United States Army for service as set forth in the following , , Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: , , Private First Class Milton L. Olive, III, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty while participating in a search and destroy operation in the vicinity of Phu Cuong, Republic of Viet Nam, on 22 October 1965. Private Olive was a member of the 3d Platoon of Company B. 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, as it moved through the jungle to find the Viet Cong operating in the area. Although the platoon was subjected to a heavy volume of enemy gun fire and pinned down temporarily, it retaliated by assaulting the Viet Cong positions, causing the enemy to flee. As the platoon pursued the insurgents, Private Olive and four other soldiers were moving through the jungle together when a grenade was thrown into their midst. Private Olive saw the grenade, and then saved the lives of his fellow soldiers at the sacrifice of his own by grabbing the grenade in his hand and falling on it to absorb the blast with his body. Through his bravery, unhesitating action, and complete disregard for his own safety, he prevented additional loss of life or injury to the members of his platoon. Private Olive's conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces of his country. , Lyndon B. Johnson , , This plaque is presented by the City of Chicago at the dedication of Olive Park, June 19, 1966 as an everlasting tribute to the memory of Private First Class Milton L. Olive, III United states Army

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor, posthumously, to Private First Class Milton L. Olive, III, United States Army for service as set forth in the following

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

Private First Class Milton L. Olive, III, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty while participating in a search and destroy operation in the vicinity of Phu Cuong, Republic of Viet Nam, on 22 October 1965. Private Olive was a member of the 3d Platoon of Company B. 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, as it moved through the jungle to find the Viet Cong operating in the area. Although the platoon was subjected to a heavy volume of enemy gun fire and pinned down temporarily, it retaliated by assaulting the Viet Cong positions, causing the enemy to flee. As the platoon pursued the insurgents, Private Olive and four other soldiers were moving through the

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jungle together when a grenade was thrown into their midst. Private Olive saw the grenade, and then saved the lives of his fellow soldiers at the sacrifice of his own by grabbing the grenade in his hand and falling on it to absorb the blast with his body. Through his bravery, unhesitating action, and complete disregard for his own safety, he prevented additional loss of life or injury to the members of his platoon. Private Olive's conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces of his country.
Lyndon B. Johnson

This plaque is presented by the City of Chicago at the dedication of Olive Park, June 19, 1966 as an everlasting tribute to the memory of Private First Class Milton L. Olive, III United states Army

Erected 1966 by City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #36 Lyndon B. Johnson,

Milton L. Olive III Park Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe

2. Milton L. Olive III Park Marker

and the Medal of Honor Recipients series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is October 22, 1965.

Location. 41° 53.682′ N, 87° 36.594′ W. Memorial is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Streeterville. It is on East Ohio Street near Grand Avenue. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60611, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Milton L. Olive III Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Welcome to Jane Addams Park Natural Area (approx. 0.2 miles away); Life at the Beach (approx. 0.2 miles away); Polk Bros Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Illinois & Michigan Canal (approx. ¼ mile away); 2021 Save the People's Pier Campaign (approx. ¼ mile away); Captain on the Helm (approx. ¼ mile away);

The memorial to Private Olive with Navy Pier in the background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 25, 2026

3. The memorial to Private Olive with Navy Pier in the background

To Sit a While (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Private First Class Milton L. Olive, III, United States Army. Milton Lee Olive III was born in Chicago in 1946 and spent much of his youth on the city's South Side. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1964. He was the first African American to be awarded the Medal of Honor for the Vietnam War.

Olive is buried in West Grove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Lexington, Mississippi, near where his grandparents had a farm.

Also see . . . Chicago Veterans: Milton L. Olive III. (Submitted on March 26, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Sign at entrance to Olive Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe

4. Sign at entrance to Olive Park

View of Olive Park and the Chicago skyline at the memorial's site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 25, 2026

5. View of Olive Park and the Chicago skyline at the memorial's site

Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2018, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 716 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 26, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2. submitted on February 19, 2018, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on March 26, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on February 19, 2018, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 5. submitted on March 26, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.