Donald Sloat

Donald Paul Sloat (February 6, 1949 – January 17, 1970) was a United States Army soldier and a posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor, the military's highest decoration for his actions in the Vietnam War.[1]

Donald Sloat
BornFebruary 6, 1949 (1949-02-06)
Coweta, Oklahoma
DiedJanuary 17, 1970(1970-01-17) (aged 20)
Que Son Valley, Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam
Buried
Vernon Cemetery, Coweta, Oklahoma
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1969–1970
Rank Specialist
Unit3rd Platoon, Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 196th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division
WarsVietnam War †
AwardsMedal of Honor
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart

Early life

Donald Sloat was born to Ezra Paul Sloat and his wife, Evelyn (nee Turnbow) in Coweta, Oklahoma, where he lived most of his life.[2] He graduated from Coweta High School in 1967. He then attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Oklahoma.

Military career

He enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 19, 1969. After finishing basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, he shipped out to South Vietnam in September, 1969. By then, he was a machine gunner in the 3rd Platoon, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 196th Light Infantry Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division (Americal Division).[3]

Awards and decorations

Sloat earned the following awards and decorations:[1]
Combat Infantry Badge
Medal of Honor
Bronze Star Medal w/ V device
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal w/ V device
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal w/2 campaign stars
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Device
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Specialist Four, United States Army, 3rd Platoon, Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 196th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division.

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

Entered service at: Coweta, Oklahoma

Citation

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 Machinegunner 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.[1]

President Barack Obama presented the medal to Donald's brother, Bill Sloat (now deceased), in a ceremony at the East Room of the White House.

Decorations donated to Coweta

February 6, 2017, was declared as Specialist Donald P. Sloat Medal of Honor Day in Coweta. The remainder of Sloat's family had 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.[4]

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References
  1. "Medal of Honor:Specialist Four Donald P. Sloat". www.army.mil/. United States Army. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  2. "Donald Paul Sloat." The Virtual Wall. November 23, 2014. Accessed February 3, 2018.
  3. "Donald P. Sloat." Oklahoma History Center. Undated. Accessed February 3, 2018.
  4. Wheeland, Christy. "Sloat family presents Medal of Honor to the City of Coweta." Tulsa World. February 6, 2017. Accessed February 3, 2018.
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