MOH

Medal of Honor: Stephen Holden Doane – Vietnam War – March 25, 1969

Three soldiers lay trapped under enemy crossfire, one badly wounded. Knowing what it would cost, their platoon leader crawled forward alone.

April 21, 2026

Name: Stephen Holden Doane
Rank: First Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Army
War: Vietnam War
Unit: Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Date of Action: March 25, 1969
Location: Hau Nghia Province, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action

On 25 March 1969, First Lieutenant Stephen H. Doane was serving as a platoon leader during combat operations in Hau Nghia Province when his company suddenly engaged an enemy force concealed in bunkers and trenches.

The opening fire pinned down three lead soldiers in a deadly crossfire. One of the men was seriously wounded.

Attempts by another platoon to rescue them failed.

It became clear that only a small assault could get close enough to destroy the enemy positions and save the trapped soldiers.

Fully aware of the danger, Doane chose to lead the attack himself.

Crawling forward under hostile fire, he reached the nearest enemy bunker and silenced it.

During the assault he was wounded, yet continued advancing toward a second bunker.

As he prepared to throw a grenade, he was struck again.

Still undeterred, Doane pulled the pin from the grenade and lunged into the bunker with it, destroying the final enemy position at the cost of his own life.

His sacrifice removed the obstacle that had trapped his men and enabled the company to rescue them without further casualties.

His courage and selflessness inspired all who served beside him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

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, N.Y.
Born: 13 October 1947, Beverely, Mass.

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.