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

Milton L. Olive III Park

Medal of Honor

— Recipient Posthumous —

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

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 25, 2026

1. Milton L. Olive III Park Marker

Inscription. PFC U.S. Army Company B
2d Battalion (Airborne) 503d Infantry
173d Airborne Brigade - Vietnam - 1965

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list.

Location. 41° 53.571′ N, 87° 36.731′ W. Memorial is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Streeterville. It is on East Grand Avenue east of DuSable Lake Shore Drive (U.S. 41), on the right when traveling west. The marker is on the fence into Olive Park. 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.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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: Welcome to Jane Addams Park Natural Area (within shouting distance of this marker); Life at the Beach (within shouting distance of this marker); Illinois & Michigan Canal (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Polk Bros Park (about 700 feet away); 2021 Save the People's Pier Campaign (approx. 0.2 miles away); Private First Class Milton L. Olive, III, United States Army (approx. 0.2 miles away); Captain on the Helm (approx. 0.2 miles away); To Sit a While (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this memorial. Another more elaborate memorial to Private Olive can be found inside the park, about a 300-yard

Olive Park entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 25, 2026

2. Olive Park entrance

walk northeast of this entrance.

Regarding Milton L. Olive III Park. Milton Olive III was born in Chicago in 1946 and spent most of his childhood on the city's South Side. In 1964, he enlisted in the Army and was sent to Vietnam. On October 22, 1965, Private Olive's unit was in the vicinity of Phu Cuong, searching for Viet Cong resistance, when a grenade was thrown at the unit. According to his Medal of Honor citation, Olive grabbed the grenade with his hand and then fell on the grenade to absorb the blow. Olive was killed instantly, but he saved the lives of all of his comrades.

Olive is buried in Lexington, Mississippi, at West Grove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery. A year after his death, Olive was the first African American to receive the Medal of Honor for valor in the Vietnam War; his family was presented the honors from President Lyndon B. Johnson. That same year, Chicago dedicated this

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 25, 2026

3. Olive Park

The park entrance is near the lakeshore on Chicago's near north side.

park near Navy Pier in his honor. The 10-acre park sits on a peninsula it shares with the Jardine Water Purification Plant.

Also see . . . Congressional Medal of Honor Society: Milton Lee Olive III. (Submitted on March 26, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 26, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.