US Army Private First Class Milton A. Lee

US Army Private First Class Milton A. Lee. February 26, 1949 - April 26, 1968. , Although he was not a resident of Kendall County, Lee, who was abandoned by his parents at a young age, spent countless evenings, weekends, and summers in Kendall County with his best friend, Charles Nelson. Nelson's mother, Charlene Lori Ives Nelson, claimed Lee as one of her own., On April 26, 1968, Lee's company was on a sweep near the A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam. Lee was serving as the radiotelephone operator for the lead platoon. A surprise attack by the North Vietnamese Army dropped half of the platoon, including its commander. Lee not only demonstrated great presence of mind by calmly radioing details of the platoon's situation, he also moved boldly across the battlefield to gather up the wounded and help them to the aid station., When the advance resumed, Lee was in the front ranks. He spotted four enemy combatants setting up a machine gun and grenade launcher. Lee handed off his radio to another soldier and charged the machine gun nest, thereby securing the location. , Lee could have stopped there, but he saw another enemy position and once again charged the enemy. Lee and his platoon were able to maneuver forward and take the position, but Lee was wounded grievously in the process. Lee died that day before medics could reach him, but his heroic efforts would not be forgotten., Milton A. Lee was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty for his actions while serving with the 101st Airborne Division on April 26, 1968, near the A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam.