During his service, First Lieutenant Doane's valor and performance of duties merited award of the Medal of Honor (posthumously), the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, two Army Commendation Medals, and two Purple Hearts. He is remembered by his comrades in the 5th Infantry - the Bobcats 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. 1LT 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 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 or relieve the trapped soldiers. 1LT 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. 1LT 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.

 

28 July 2002 Stephen Holden Doane was born in Beverly, Massachusetts, while his father was a doctor at Beverly Hospital. The Beverly Vietnam Veterans Post 1 took his name in honor of Stephen - the 1stLT Stephen H. Doane Chapter. His family was present at our Dedication and Dinner. We have erected a Memorial 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. We are in the process of creating a scholarship fund in his name. From the members of the Beverly Vietnam Veterans Post 1 First Lieutenant Stephen H. Doane Chapter remoulton@hotmail.com

 

20 Nov 2006 My name is David Ayers and I am an ROTC Cadet at the University of Texas at Austin. Out of all of the Army values I feel that the most important aspect of the Army is selfless service, and Liuetenant Doane's sacrifice showed the true spirit of the Army, to leave no man behind. For those still in the fight, and those that never came home. David Ayers corpcpld@yahoo.com

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