Thomas Stephen Donovan

Hospital Corpsman Second Class, U.S. Navy

Thomas Stephen Donovan was born on 2 June 1945.

On 3 June 1967, Hospital Corpsman Third Class Thomas Stephen Donovan was serving with Headquarters & Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, III Marine Amphibious Force, in Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam.

On that day, HM3 Donovan was killed in action when he sustained wounds from small arms fire. His body was recovered. Donovan received a posthumous promotion to Hospital Corpsman Second Class (E-5).

Medals and Badge

Silver Star Medal *
Navy Corpsman Badge
Bronze Star Medal with Combat Valor Device
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

* Citation:

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Thomas S. Donovan (9132355), Hospital Corpsman Second Class, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Senior Corpsman with Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in the Republic of Vietnam, on 2 June 1967. During Operation UNION II, while Company F was advancing toward a designated objective, it was taken under intense mortar, recoilless-rifle, and automatic-weapons fire from a well-entrenched, numerically superior enemy force. The company was temporarily halted in the middle of a large, open, rice paddy, sustaining numerous casualties due to extremely accurate enemy fire. Without hesitation, Petty Officer Donovan moved across the fire-swept field, heedless of the hail of bullets, to administer lifesaving treatment to the fallen Marines. After performing first aid, he then courageously carried several Marines to covered positions. When the Company Commander asked for volunteers to assault a machine-gun position behind enemy lines, Petty Officer Donovan immediately volunteered to accompany the group in order to treat casualties which would probably result from such a dangerous mission. Painfully wounded while treating an injured comrade, he nonetheless continued with his mission of treating the Marines and assisting them to covered positions until he was again wounded, this time fatally. Petty Officer Donovan's heroic conduct, selfless courage, and resolute devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Home Town: Natick, MA

Honors

The name Thomas S Donovan is located on Panel 21E Line 44 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Donovan is buried at Saint Patrick's Cemetery in Natick, MA.

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