On This Day In Military History, 17 Jan 1970 SP4 Donald Sloat’s Actions Earn Him The Medal Of Honor

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SP4 Donald P. Sloat

On this day in history, 17 January 1970 SP4 Donald P. Sloat’s actions would earn him the Medal of Honor.

Hometown:Coweta, Oklahoma

Born: February 1949

Enlistment Date: March 1969

Unit: 3rd Platoon, Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 196th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division

Military Occupation (MOS):11B – Infantry Machine Gunner

Tour of Duty:Republic of Vietnam, 1969 – 1970

Specialist Four Donald P. Sloat, a native of Coweta, Oklahoma, was born in February 1949. After attending Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Oklahoma, Sloat enlisted in the U.S. Army in March 1969, at the age of 20. Following his initial training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, he was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam, serving as an M60 Machine Gunner with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 196th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, also known as the “Hard Chargers.” The brigade suffered 1,188 Soldiers killed in action, and 5,591 wounded in action, in Vietnam

196th Light Infantry Brigade “Chargers” Distinctive Unit Insignia

Sloat began his tour of duty on September 25, 1969. His service in Vietnam was marked by bravery and dedication, but tragically, he was killed in action on January 17, 1970, just a month shy of his 21st birthday. His sacrifice did not go unnoticed, as he was posthumously awarded numerous medals and decorations for his service:

  • Medal of Honor(Upgraded From Distinguished Service Cross)
  • Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device
  • Purple Heart
  • Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device
  • Army Good Conduct Medal
  • National Defense Service Medal
  • Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars
  • Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with “60” Device
  • Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Device
  • Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm Device
  • Combat Infantryman Badge
  • Expert Badge with Rifle Bar
  • Sharpshooter Badge with Machinegun Bar
  • Marksman Badge with Auto Rifle Bar

Personal Quotes:

  • “Don was the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it,” said a fellow soldier from his unit, reflecting on Sloat’s character.
  • His brother, William Sloat, once shared, “Don believed in doing what was right, no matter the cost. That’s what made him a hero.”
  • At the Medal of Honor ceremony, President Barack Obama remarked, “Sloat covered the grenade with his own body. He saved the lives of the men around him.”
  • “I was only five to eight feet behind Don when the grenade went off. His act saved my life.”
    Former Pfc. DeWayne C. Lewis Jr., a rifleman, on patrol with Sloat, on Jan. 17, 1970

From 2002, the U.S. Army reviewed all 6,500 recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross to see if any recipients had been short-changed; this led to two dozen medal upgrades in March 2014. In 2013, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014, the Senate Armed Service Committee passed a provision removing the time limit for Donald P. Sloat and Bennie G. Adkins. On September 15, 2014, President Obama awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously to Sloat. President Barack Obama presented the medal to Donald’s brother, Bill Sloat (now deceased), in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House.

President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Honor to Dr. Bill Sloat, the brother of posthumous recipient, Specialist Four Donald Sloat at the White House, Sept. 15, 2014.

Medal of Honor Citation:

Place and date: Que Son Valley, Quảng Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam 17 January 1970

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to

Specialist Four Donald P. Sloat

United States Army

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

Specialist Four Donald P. Sloat distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Machine Gunner with Company D, 2d Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 196th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, during combat operations against an armed enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on January 17, 1970. On that morning, Specialist Four Sloat’s squad was conducting a patrol, serving as a blocking element in support of tanks and armored personnel carriers in the area.

As the squad moved up a small hill in file formation, the lead soldier tripped a wire attached to a hand grenade booby-trap set up by enemy forces. As the grenade rolled down the hill, Specialist Four Sloat knelt and picked up the grenade. After initially attempting to throw the grenade, Specialist Four Sloat realized that detonation was imminent. He then drew the grenade to his body and shielded his squad members from the blast, saving their lives. Specialist Four Sloat’s actions define the ultimate sacrifice of laying down his own life in order to save the lives of his comrades. Specialist Four Donald P. Sloat’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Company D, 2d Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 196th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, and the United States Army.

February 6, 2017, was declared as Specialist Donald P. Sloat Medal of Honor Day in Coweta. The remainder of Sloat’s family decided to donate the Medal of Honor, along with many other military decorations, to Robert Morton, mayor of the city of Coweta, for display. The medals will be permanently displayed at Coweta City Hall

Donald P. Sloat’s legacy is one of valor and commitment to his fellow soldiers. His actions and bravery continue to inspire and remind us of the sacrifices made by many in service to our country.