b. 13/10/1947 Beverly, Massachusetts. d. 25/03/1969 Hau Nghia, Vietnam.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 25/03/1969 Hau Nghia, Vietnam.
Stephen H Doane MOH
Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient. He posthumously received the award for his actions as a 1st lieutenant with Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, US Army, on March 25, 1969, at Hau Nghia Province, South Vietnam.
After graduating from Tilton High School in 1966, he joined the US Army from Albany, New York in 1967 and graduated from Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant. He was then sent to South Vietnam and on March 25, 1969 his unit was engaged in a firefight during Operation Toan Thang III when he destroyed an enemy bunker by carrying a live grenade into it. He was also awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. His family were presented with his posthumous Medal of Honor on 16 February 1971 at The White House by President Richard M. Nixon.
MOH CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. First Lt. Doane was serving as a platoon leader when his company, engaged in a tactical operation, abruptly contacted an enemy force concealed in protected bunkers and trenches. Three of the leading soldiers were pinned down by enemy crossfire. One was seriously wounded. After efforts of 1 platoon to rescue these men had failed, it became obvious that only a small group could successfully move close enough to destroy the enemy position and rescue or relieve the trapped soldiers, 1st Lt. Doane, although fully aware of the danger of such an action, crawled to the nearest enemy bunker and silenced it. He was wounded but continued to advance to a second enemy bunker. As he prepared to throw a grenade, he was again wounded. Undaunted, he deliberately pulled the pin on the grenade and lunged with it into the enemy bunker, destroying this final obstacle. 1st Lt. Doane’s supreme act enabled his company to rescue the trapped men without further casualties.
BURIAL LOCATION: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA.
SECTION 59, LOT 1617
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
