Word Celebrity Blog

Stephen Holden Doane


Stephen Holden Doane was born on Oct. 13, 1947, in Beverly, Massachusetts. His father, David G. Doane was a doctor at Beverly Hospital. Dr. Doane is assigned to the Surgeon General's office in Washington, D.C.


















Young Steve Doane with pet dalmatians.


After High School graduation, Steve enrolled at Gettysburg College,in Gettysburg, Pennsyvania






















Steve Doane arrived at Gettysburg College much the same as many of the college’s current students.  He played football, wrestled and was interested enough in Greek life that he decided to pledge one of the oldest fraternities on campus: Phi Kappa Psi.  Steve Doane completed the pledging process, but left to fight in the Vietnam War before he was formally initiated.




















Gettysburg College.


Steve Doane joined the Army from Albany, New York, and by March 25, 1969 was serving as a first lieutenant in Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.


























Steve just before leaving for the Army,


First Lt. Steve Doane was was stationed in Hau Nghia Province, Republic of Vietnam. He found the local people to be friendly and appreciative that the U.S. Army was there to help them. He discovered that the Viet Cong were fierce fanatical fighters.






















A friendly village in Hau Nghia Province.


 























First Lt. Doane was serving as a platoon leader, when Steve Doane's company, suddenly engaged a Viet Cong force concealed in protected bunkers and trenches. Three of the U.S. soldiers were pinned down by enemy crossfire. One was seriously wounded. Several efforts were made to rescue the soldiers and failed.























Steve Doane crawled to the nearest enemy bunker and killed the enemy that were in it. it. He was wounded while doing so.  He crawled to the next bunker.  Just as he prepared to throw a grenade, Steve Doane was wounded again.

During the firefight on that day, First Lt. Steve Doane destroyed the remaining enemy bunker by carrying an activated hand grenade into it.























Steve Doane and 2 Viet Namese interpreters in 1969.

Steve Doane was 21 years old at the time of his death, on March 25, 1969. Lieutenant Stephen Holden Doane was posthumously issued his Medal. Of Honor.



Medal Of Honor

Citation for the award of the Medal of Honor to

STEPHEN HOLDEN DOANE
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
















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.



Other Honors

The Beverly Vietnam Veterans Post 1 took his name in honor of Stephen - the 1stLT Stephen H. Doane Chapter. His family was present at the Dedication and Dinner.

A Memorial was erected on the site of his birth. His "Citation" is on the memorial along with markers for other Beverly residents who lost their lives in Viet Nam.

A scholarship fund was created in his name.


























He was Originally buried in Walton Cemetery, Walton, New York: he was moved to Arlington National Cemetery in 1980. Plot: Section 59, Lot 1617

His name can be found on the Viet Nam Memorial in Washington, DC on Panel 28W, Line 034.