Florence in Lauderdale County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Don Leslie Michael

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, May 26, 2009

1. Don Leslie Michael Marker

Inscription.

Don Leslie Michael. . 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. . This historical marker is in Florence in Lauderdale County Alabama

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.

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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

An Additional Marker Located Inside the Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, May 26, 2009

2. An Additional Marker Located Inside the Museum

31, 1947 ~ April 8, 1967

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 8, 1967.

Location. 34° 48.715′ N, 87° 37.446′ W. Marker is in Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. Marker is at the intersection of Veterans Park Drive and Don Michael Drive, on the left when traveling east on Veterans Park Drive. Marker is located west of the Veterans Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Florence AL 35630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. “Gooney Bird” Propeller (a few steps from this marker); W.W. II Anchor (a few steps from this marker); The Hawk Missile (a few steps from this marker); 75mm Field Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); The “Honest John” Rocket (within shouting distance of this marker); Anti-Tank Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); 16” Projectile (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cobra Helicopter (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Another Don Leslie Michael Marker.

Also see . . . The Viet Nam Memorial - Washington DC

Museum Display image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, May 26, 2009

3. Museum Display

This notice is displayed inside the museum and is a copy of the text seen on the marker.

. Don L. Michael page on the Memorial Website. (Submitted on September 17, 2010.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,347 times since then and 53 times this year. Last updated on October 23, 2013, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 12, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.