In remembrance of the women who served in the Vietnam war.
In remembrance of the women who served in the Vietnam war.
Sharon Ann Lane (07 Jul 1943 - 08 Jun 1969)
First Lieutenant, O2, Medical-Surgical Nurse, UNITED STATES ARMY, 312TH EVAC HOSP, 67TH MED GRP, 44TH MED BDE. Born in Zanesville, Ohio, to John C and Mary Kathleen (Kay) Lane, sister of one brother Gary Lane, and one sister Judy Lane (Tritt).
Sharon grew up in North Industry, Stark County, Ohio. She graduated from Canton South High School in June 1961 and entered the Aultman Hospital School of Nursing the following September. After graduating from Aultman in 1965, she worked at the hospital until May, 1967, she join the U.S. Army Nurse Corps Reserve on April 18, 1968. Her Home of record was Canton Ohio. Sharon Never Married or had children.
2LT Lane began training on May 5 at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. On 17 June she reported to Fitzsimons General Hospital in Denver, Colorado. While at Fitzsimons, she was promoted to First Lieutenant. On 24 April 1969 she reported to Travis Air Force Base in California with orders for Vietnam.
She arrived at the 312th Evac Hospital at Chu Lai on 29 April and was assigned to the Intensive Care ward for a few days before being assigned to the Vietnamese Ward. She worked 5 days a week (12 hours per day) in this ward and on the sixth day worked in Intensive Care.
On 8 June 1969, the 74th Medical Battalion, 312th Evacuation Hospital was struck by a salvo of Russian Made 122mm rockets fired by the Viet Cong. One rocket hit between Wards 4a and 4b of the 312th Evacuation Hospital, Quang Tin, South Vietnam.
The explosion killed two and wounded 27 US and Vietnamese personnel. Among the dead was 1LT Lane who was struck in the neck by a piece of shrapnel, she died instantly of the fragmentation wounds.1st Lt Lane was a month short of her 26th birthday.
Although seven other American military nurses died while serving in Vietnam, 1LT Lane was the only American servicewoman killed as a direct result of enemy fire throughout the war.
She was posthumously awarded the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Bronze Star for Heroism. In 1970, the recovery room at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver, where Lt. Lane had been assigned before going to Vietnam, was dedicated in her honor.
In 1973, Aultman Hospital in Canton, OH, where Lane had attended nursing school, erected a bronze statue of Lane. The names of 110 local servicemen killed in Vietnam are on the base of the statue.
Sharon was 25 years old at the time of her death. She was buried in Sunset Hills Burial Park, Canton, Ohio. She is Honored on the Vietnam memorial Wall, Panel 23W Line 112
Citation:
Bronze Star with “V” device.
For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force. Lieutenant Lane distinguished herself by exceptionally 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 principals 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 struck 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.
A memorial written by a friend reads,
Sharon Lane, the All-American Girl. She came to Vietnam not to fight or warrior to be but to serve a higher purpose across the sea. She knew the hurt, the pain, the dying. Sharon came to heal them and to stop the crying. With purpose in her steps she made her rounds To give hope to the soldier and to turn his frown upside down. Whether it be the boy from back home or the Viet Cong She did her job with care--she knew this is where she belonged. She was cut down in the middle of the night. A piece of flying metal took her life. She died alone So far from home. Her life was taken from us. Sharon's presence we still miss. Let us never forget that freedom has a cost. Sharon became our hero-our hearts are empty by her loss. Sharon was the All-American girl, She was perfection in an imperfect world.
Written by:
"Doc" Kerry Pardue, field medic, Vietnam.
In remembrance of: First Lieutenant, Sharon Ann Lane.
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