Russell Albert Steindam
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War

First Lieutenant Russell Albert Steindam (27 August 1946 - 1 February 1970) was a U.S. Army officer who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Russell Albert Steindam was born on 27 August 1946 and joined the Army from his birth city of Austin, TX, in 1968. On 1 October 1969, he arrived in South Vietnam. On 1 February 1970, Steindam was serving as a First Lieutenant in Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. On that day in the Tay Ninh Province of the Republic of Vietnam, Steindam covered an enemy-thrown hand grenade with his body, protecting his fellow soldiers at the expense of his own life. For his heroic self-sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Troop B, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry, Division.

Place and date: Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam, 1 February 1970.

Entered service at: Austin, TX. Born: 27 August 1946, Austin, TX.

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Steindam, Troop B, while serving as a platoon leader, led members of his platoon on a night ambush operation. On the way to the ambush site, suspected enemy movement was detected on 1 flank and the platoon's temporary position was subjected to intense small arms and automatic weapons fire as well as a fusillade of hand and rocket-propelled grenades. After the initial barrage, 1st Lt. Steindam ordered fire placed on the enemy position and the wounded men to be moved to a shallow bomb crater. As he directed the return fire against the enemy from his exposed position, a fragmentation grenade was thrown into the site occupied by his command group. Instantly realizing the extreme gravity of the situation, 1st Lt. Steindam shouted a warning to alert his fellow soldiers in the immediate vicinity. Then, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his safety, 1st Lt. Steindam deliberately threw himself on the grenade, absorbing the full and fatal force of the explosion as it detonated. By his gallant action and self-sacrifice, he was able to save the lives of the nearby members of his command group. The extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by 1st Lt. Steindam were an inspiration to his comrades and are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Purple Heart

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The name Russell Albert Steindam is inscribed on Panel 14W - Line 88.

Death and Burial

First Lieutenant Russell Albert Steindam was killed in action on 1 February 1970. He is buried at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas, TX, in the Field Of Honor, Block P, Lot 43, Space 3. GPS (lat/lon): 32.55752 -96.44473