Michael Fleming Folland
Corporal, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War

Corporal Michael Fleming Folland (15 April 1949 - 3 July 1969) was a U.S. Army soldier who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions in the Vietnam War.

Michael Fleming Folland was born on 15 April 1949 in Richmond, Virginia. He joined the U.S. Army at Richmond in 1968. On 3 July 1969, he was serving as a Corporal in Company D, 2d Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 199th Infantry Brigade. During a firefight that day in Long Khanh Province, Republic of Vietnam, Folland smothered the blast of an enemy-thrown hand grenade with his body, sacrificing his life to protect those around him. For his self-sacrifice he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Citation: 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 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.

Corporal Michael Fleming Folland's Medal of Honor was presented to his family at the Executive Office Building in Washington, DC by Vice President Spiro T. Agnew on 16 December 1971.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Corporal Michael Fleming Folland's name is inscribed on Panel 21W, Row 51.

Death and Burial

Corporal Michael Fleming Folland was killed in action on 3 July 1969, at age 20. He is buried at Glendale National Cemetery in his hometown of Richmond, Virginia.