| Sharon Ann Lane | |
| Birth Date: | 7 July 1943 |
| Birth Place: | Zanesville, Ohio, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam |
| Placeofburial: | Sunset Hills Burial Park, Canton, Ohio, U.S. |
| Placeofburial Coordinates: | 40.8553°N -81.4414°W |
| Allegiance: | United States of America |
| Branch Label: | Branch |
| Serviceyears: | 1968–1969 |
| Rank: | First Lieutenant |
| Unit: | 312th Evacuation Hospital, 67th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade |
| Battles: | Vietnam War
|
| Battles Label: | Campaigns |
| Alma Mater: | Aultman Hospital School of Nursing |
Sharon Ann Lane (July 7, 1943 - June 8, 1969) was a United States Army nurse and the only American servicewoman killed as a direct result of enemy fire in the Vietnam War. The Army posthumously awarded Lane the Bronze Star Medal for heroism on June 8, 1969.
Sharon Ann Lane was born in Zanesville, Ohio, the daughter of John and Mary "Kay" Lane. When she was two, the family moved to North Industry, Ohio.[1] In June 1961, she graduated from Canton South High School in Canton, Ohio. In September, Lane entered the Aultman Hospital School of Nursing in Canton and graduated from there in 1965. She worked at the Aultman Hospital until May 1967, and then attended Canton Business College.
On April 18, 1968, Lane joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps Reserve. On May 5, she began her Army medical training at the Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.[2] She completed her training on June 14 and was commissioned a second lieutenant.[2] On June 17, she reported to Fitzsimons General Hospital near Denver, and while on duty there was promoted to first lieutenant. In 1969, after volunteering for duty in South Korea or Vietnam, she received orders for Vietnam and reported to Travis Air Force Base in California on April 24.
Lane's tour in South Vietnam began on April 24, 1969. On April 29, she reported for duty at the Army's 312th Evacuation Hospital in Chu Lai where she was assigned as a general duty staff nurse to the Intensive Care and Vietnamese wards. On June 8, Chu Lai was hit by an enemy rocket attack and Lieutenant Lane was killed by a 122mm rocket[3] [4] that struck between two quonset huts of Vietnamese civilians, soldiers, and POWs,[5] that formed the Vietnamese ward (Ward 4) where Lane last served.[6] [7] A Vietnamese child was also killed.[7] The 312th Evacuation Hospital received an Army Meritorious Unit Commendation for the period October 1, 1968 to May 31, 1969.
A military funeral and burial was held for Lane on June 14, 1969, at Sunset Hills Burial Park in Canton, Ohio.[6]
Of the roughly 11,000 American women who were stationed in Vietnam, eight servicewomen (all nurses) died during the war. Among these, Lane was the only one killed by hostile fire.[8] [9]
| Bronze Star Medal w/ Valor device | Purple Heart | ||||||||||
| Vietnam Service Medal w/ 1 bronze campaign star | Vietnam Military Merit Medal | ||||||||||
| National Order of Vietnam (Knight) | Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ Palm | Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal | |||||||||
First Lieutenant Lane was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device for her actions on June 8, 1969.[6]
General Orders No. 598
4 July 1969
Citation:
For heroism in connection with military operation against a hostile force. Lieutenant Lane distinguished herself by exceptional valorous actions during a rocket attack on the 312th Evacuation Hospital. Since her arrival at the hospital, her untiring efforts as a general duty staff nurse have made her ward a particularly outstanding one. It was through the application of rare foresight and sound principles of management that Lieutenant Lane overcame and minimized the problems inherent in providing medical support in a combat environment. As the sounds of the first incoming rockets reported throughout the hospital, Lieutenant Lane, thinking only of the welfare of her patients, rushed to her ward in an effort to protect her charges from harm. At this time, the ward took a direct hit from an enemy 122mm rocket. The resultant explosion produced metal fragments that stuck Lieutenant Lane, taking her life. As a result of Lieutenant Lane's courageous actions in the face of adversity, total disaster to the ward was prevented and many lives were saved. Lieutenant Lane's personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon herself, her unit and the United States Army.[6]