Mike attended AHS from 4 Sept 1967 but his family moved to Richmond, VA where he attended Thomas Jefferson High School but withdrew 3 October 1967 to join the Army. In viet Nam he die 3 July 1969. He won the Medal of Honor, the highest award to a military man in combat.

Viet Nam Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Served in the United States Army during the War in Viet Nam as a Corporal in Company D, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry, 199th Infantry Brigade. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at Long Khanh, Providence, Republic of Vietnam, on July 3, 1969. His citation reads "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". His Medal was posthumously presented to his family at the Executive Office Building in Washington, DC by Vice President Spiro T. Agnew on December 16, 1971. His name is found on the Viet Nam Memorial in Washington, DC on Panel 21W, Row 51.
For more info contact Lynn Sims, Ph.D lsims1960@gmail.com