Donald Long
| Donald Russell Long | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
August 27, 1939 Blackfork, Lawrence County, Ohio |
| Died | June 30, 1966 (aged 26) Republic of Vietnam |
| Place of burial | Union Baptist Church Cemetery, Blackfork, Ohio |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1963 - 1966 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War † |
| Awards |
Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
Donald Russell Long (August 27, 1939 – June 30, 1966) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.
Long was of mixed race (Black, White, Indian) descent and was a son of Herman Long and Mildred Keels. Many of his ancestors, along with the majority of Blackfork community members descendant from free people of color from Virginia and North Carolina, and many of them were Native Americans from tribes such as the Saponi. Sgt Long attended Oak Hill High School (Ohio), which is located just north of the city limits on Ohio State Route 93. Long joined the Army in Ashland, Kentucky in 1963, and by June 30, 1966 was serving as a Sergeant in Troop C, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. On that day, Long's unit came under heavy enemy attack during a reconnaissance patrol. During the battle, a hand grenade was thrown near Long and the crew of a disabled armored personnel carrier. He threw himself on the grenade, successfully protecting his fellow soldiers while sacrificing his own life. On May 29th, 2016, a commemoration in Oak Hill, Ohio took place. During the ceremony HB 366 named the portion of State Route 93 from the southern boundary of the Village of Oak Hill to the Jackson County line as the “Sgt. Donald Russell Long, Medal of Honor Recipient, Memorial Highway.”
Donald Long, aged 26 at his death, was buried in Union Baptist Church Cemetery, Blackfork, Ohio.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Troop C, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division. place and date: Republic of Vietnam, June 30, 1966. Entered service at: Ashland, Ky. Born: August 27, 1939, Blackfork, Ohio. G.O. No.: 13, April 4, 1968.
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