John Loda Haines
Sergeant, U.S. Army

On 6 March 1968, then-Specialist Four John Loda Haines was serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, SPC4 Haines was a medical aidman for an infantry platoon conducting a sweep and secure mission near Hoc Mon. As his unit moved into a dense wood line, it was subjected to intense small arms, automatic weapons, and anti-tank rocket fire from an enemy force of unknown size. Five members of his platoon were seriously wounded by the initial burst of hostile fire. Exposing himself to the fusillade, SPC4 Haines ran forward to assist his stricken comrades. With bullets striking all around him, he moved from one casualty to another, administering first aid. SPC4 Haines was hit while treating one of the soldiers, but ignored his wound and continued his mission. Seeing his platoon sergeant severely wounded and lying in an open area raked by enemy machine gun fire, he rushed to the man and began attending him. SPC4 Haines was killed by the machine gun fire while applying the last bandage to his fallen comrade. His courageous actions in close combat saved the lives of several fellow soldiers. SPC4 Haines' extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Haines received a posthumous promotion to the rank of Sergeant.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Medical Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class John Loda Haines (ASN: US-54959324), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Haines distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 March 1968 as medical aidman for an infantry platoon conducting a sweep and secure mission near Hoc Mon. As his unit moved into a dense wood line, it was subjected to intense small arms, automatic weapons, and anti-tank rocket fire from an enemy force of unknown size. Five members of his platoon were seriously wounded by the initial burst of savage hostile fire. Fearlessly exposing himself to the withering fusillade, Specialist Haines raced forward to assist his stricken comrades. With bullets striking all around him, he courageously moved from one casualty to another, administering first aid. Specialist Haines was hit while treating one of the soldiers, but disregarded his wound and continued his lifesaving mission. Observing his platoon sergeant severely wounded and lying in an open area raked by enemy machine gun fire, he rushed to the man and began attending him. Specialist Haines was instantly killed by the machine gun fire while applying the last bandage to his fallen comrade. His gallant and determined actions in close combat saved the lives of several fellow soldiers. Specialist Four Haines' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1839 (May 22, 1967)

Honors

The name John L Haines is located on Panel 43E Line 19 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Sergeant John Loda Haines is buried at Calvin Community Chapel Cemetery in Calvin Center, Cass County, MI.