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dense jungle area, it was caught in an intense crossfire from heavily fortified and concealed enemy ambush positions. As the patrol reacted to neutralize the ambush, it became evident that the heavy weapons could not be used in the cramped fighting area. Cpl. Folland dropped his recoilless rifle ammunition, and ran forward to join his commander in an assault on the enemy bunkers. The assaulting force moved forward until it was pinned down directly in front of the heavily fortified bunkers by machine gun fire. Cpl. Folland stood up to draw enemy fire on himself and to place suppressive fire on the enemy positions while his commander attempted to destroy the machine gun positions with grenades. Before the officer could throw a grenade, an enemy grenade landed in the position. Cpl. Folland alerted his comrades and his commander hurled the grenade from the position. When a second enemy grenade landed in the position, Cpl. Folland again shouted a warning to his fellow soldiers. Seeing that no one could reach the grenade and realizing that it was about to explode, Cpl. Folland, with complete disregard for his safety, threw himself on the grenade. By his dauntless courage, Cpl. Folland saved the lives of his comrades although he was mortally wounded by the explosion. Cpl. Folland's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
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For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Cpl. Folland distinguished himself while serving as an ammunition bearer with the weapons platoon of
Company D, during a reconnaissance patrol mission. As the patrol was moving through a
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with his body, sacrificing his life to protect those around him.
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237:Corporal Folland's Medal of Honor citation reads:
225:, Folland smothered the blast of an enemy-thrown
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363:Vietnam War recipients of the Medal of Honor
358:United States Army non-commissioned officers
348:United States Army Medal of Honor recipients
303:"Medal of Honor recipients – Vietnam (A-L)"
353:Military personnel from Richmond, Virginia
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181:(April 15, 1949 – July 3, 1969) was a
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132:Company D, 2d Battalion,
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179:Michael Fleming Folland
20:Michael Fleming Folland
368:Deaths by hand grenade
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215:199th Infantry Brigade
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332:Categories
317:2009-09-21
275:References
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44:1949-04-15
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197:Biography
114:1968–1969
247:See also
207:corporal
123:Corporal
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155:†
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