John Timothy Lane
Private First Class, U.S. Army

John Timothy Lane was inducted into the U.S. Army on 25 September 1967.

On 6 May 1968, Private First Class John Timothy Lane was serving with Company B, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, PFC Lane was a rifleman during an operation near Duc Hoa. His unit had just established its night defensive position when an enemy force began to infiltrate the friendly lines. PFC Lane and 3 men with him moved to a secondary defensive position situated in a small depression. An enemy soldier hurled a grenade into their location and PFC Lane threw himself on the grenade as it detonated. The explosion killed him instantly and wounded one of his comrades. PFC Lane's selfless sacrifice saved the lives of his fellow soldiers and earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman 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 Private First Class John Timothy Lane (ASN: US-56986266), 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 Company B, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Private First Class Lane distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 May 1968 while serving as a rifleman during an operation near Duc Hoa. His unit had just established its night defensive position when an enemy force began to infiltrate the friendly lines. Private Lane and three men with him moved to a secondary defensive position situated in a small depression. An enemy soldier hurled a grenade into their location. With complete disregard for his safety, Private Lane threw himself on the grenade as it detonated. The explosion killed him instantly and wounded one of his comrades. By his self-sacrifice, Private Lane saved the lives of his fellow soldiers at the cost of his own. Private First Class Lane's 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. 4322 (September 11, 1968)

Honors

The name John T Lane is located on Panel 54E Line 36 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Private First Class John Timothy Lane is buried at Locust Grove Cemetery in Brewster, Okanogan County, WA.