Stephen Helden Doane – First Lieutenant, United States Army

Born at Beverley, Massachusetts on October 13, 1947, he earned the Medal of Honor while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division at Hua Nghia Province on March 15, 1969.

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Serving as Platoon Leader when his unit engaged in a tactical operation, abruptly encountered 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 the efforts of one 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 the trapped soldiers. Although fully aware of the danger of such an action, he crawled to the nearest enemy bunker and silenced it. He was wounded, but continued to advance on the 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. His supreme act enabled his company to rescue the trapped men without further casualties. The extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by this officer were an inspiration to his men and are in the highest traditions of the United States Army.”

He was first buried in the Walton (New York) Cemetery, but was moved to Section 59 of Arlington National Cemetery on July 11, 1980.

DOANE, STEPHEN HOLDEN

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Hau Nghia Province, Republic of Vietnam, 25 March 1969. Entered service at: Albany, New York. Born: 13 October 1947, Beverely, Massachusetts.

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. The extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by this officer were an inspiration to his men and are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.

DOANE, STEPHEN HOLDEN
1LT   US ARMY
VIETNAM
DATE OF BIRTH: 10/13/1947
DATE OF DEATH: 03/25/1969
BURIED AT: SECTION 59  SITE 1617
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard