Petersburg in Boone County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Charles Clinton Fleek (1947-1969)
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Medal of Honor Recipient
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 26, 2022
1. Charles Clinton Fleek (1947-1969) side of the marker
Charles Clinton Fleek (1947-1969). Sergeant Charles Clinton "Chalkie" Fleek was born on August 28, 1947 in Petersburg, KY. He served in the U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division in South Vietnam and is the only medal of Honor recipient from Boone County. Fleek was decorated for his valor, receiving 2 commendation medals and a Purple Heart.
Medal of Honor Recipient. On May 27, 1969, in Binh Duong Province, Vietnam, a North Vietnamese Army soldier threw a grenade into Fleek's squad position. He threw himself onto the grenade, absorbing its blast & saving 8 U.S. soldiers. Fleek was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by President Richard Nixon on February 16, 1971.
Erected by Kentucky Historical Society; Kentucky Department of Highways; Kentucky Veterans Program Trust Fund.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #37 Richard M. Nixon, the Kentucky Historical Society, the Medal of Honor Recipients, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is February 16, 1971.
Location. 39° 3.79′ N, 84° 52.523′ W.
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Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Ohio River Valley. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Welcome to Petersburg (approx. Ό mile away); Tanners Station 1789 (approx. half a mile away); Lewis Loder (1819-1905) / Petersburg Distillery (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Welcome to Petersburg (approx. 0.6 miles away); Steamboat Clinton (approx. 1.3 miles away in Indiana); History of the Aurora Ferry Co., Inc. (approx. 1.3 miles away in Indiana); George Street Bridge (approx. 1.3
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 26, 2022
2. Medal of Honor Recipient side of the marker
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 26, 2022
3. Charles Clinton Fleek (1947-1969) / Medal of Honor Recipient Marker
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 26, 2022
4. This section of the roadway is named after Sgt. Fleek
Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 443 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 1, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
