Congressman Smith’s Soldier Bill to Become Law

A bill to rename a stretch of highway after a Medal of Honor recipient passed the Senate by Unanimous Consent and now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law. The bill will rename part of I-10 in Kendall County in honor of PFC Milton A. Lee who died in combat in Vietnam on April 26, 1968, at the age of 19. Lee was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in a ceremony at the White House in 1970 for ‘conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.’ He is buried at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio.

It is an honor to recognize Medal of Honor recipient Milton A. Lee for his service to our country. It was a special privilege to be able to work with local officials to honor a courageous soldier who gave his life for his countrymen. I am proud to represent over 65,000 veterans who probably know or served with someone like PFC Lee. It is most appropriate that Medal of Honor recipient Milton Lee have a section of IH-10 named for him near his ultimate resting place.

Background:

PFC Lee served as a radio telephone operator with the 3rd platoon, Company B. during an intense, surprise hostile attack by North Vietnamese Army fighters. The 3rd platoon maneuvered to a position of cover to treat their wounded and reorganize. Meanwhile, PFC Lee moved through the heavy enemy fire to give lifesaving first aid to his wounded fellow soldiers.

PFC Lee immediately and with great risk to his own personal safety, passed his radio to another soldier and charged through the barrage of fire. Without hesitation he continued his attack, and successfully overran the enemy position, killing all occupants and capturing 4 automatic weapons and a rocket launcher. PFC Lee continued his one-man assault on another enemy position through a heavy barrage of enemy automatic weapons fire. Although wounded, he continued to press the attack and crawled forward into a firing position to deliver accurate cover fire for his platoon. This enabled his platoon to maneuver and destroy the position. Not until the position was overrun did PFC Lee falter in his steady volume of fire and succumb to his wounds.

PFC Lee's heroic actions saved the lives of many in his platoon and were instrumental in the destruction of a key position of the enemy’s defense. PFC Lee's gallantry at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty epitomizes the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit on himself, the 502nd Infantry, and the U.S. Army.

I would like to thank VFW Post 688, led by Quartermaster Bob Worrall, in Boerne for their help with this effort. I also thank all the Texas members in the House for co-sponsoring this bill and supporting efforts to properly remember the fallen heroes of our nation.