Career
At the age of 18, Olive sacrificed his life to save others by smothering a live grenade. Olive joined the Army from his birth city of Chicago, Illinois in 1964, and by 1965 was serving as a Private First Class in Company Bachelor of the 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam. Also in attendance were two of the four men whose lives were saved by Olive"s actions.
Olive"s body was returned to the United States and buried in West Grove Cemetery at Lexington, Holmes County, Mississippi.
Olive was born in Chicago but left as a young boy living in Lexington, Mississippi where he finished high school. In 1966 a plaque and park was dedicated in his honor.
In 1979, the city of Chicago recognized Olive by naming Olive Park on Lake Michigan in his honor. The Milton L. Olive Middle School in Wyandanch, Long Island, New York, is also named in his honor.
In 2007, a State Historical Marker was erected for Olive in Lexington, Mississippi.
The dedication ceremonies included an address by the Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard. Fort Campbell has a recreation facility named in his honor. As the platoon pursued the insurgents.
