1LT RUSSELL A STEINDAM
B TROOP 3rd SQUADRON
4th
CAVALRY
25th INFANTRY DIVISION
FEBRUARY 1, 1970


*STEINDAM, RUSSELL A.
Citation
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Troop B, 3d
Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry, Division. Place and date: Tay
Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam, 1 February 1970. Entered service
at: Austin, Tex. Born: 27 August 1946, Austin, Tex. Citation: for
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Steindam, Troop B, while
serving as a platoon leader, led members of his platoon on a night
ambush operation. On the way to the ambush site, suspected enemy
movement was detected on 1 flank and the platoon's temporary position
was subjected to intense small arms and automatic weapons fire as well
as a fusillade of hand and rocket-propelled grenades. After the initial
barrage, 1st Lt. Steindam ordered fire placed on the enemy position and
the wounded men to be moved to a shallow bomb crater. As he directed
the return fire against the enemy from his exposed position, a
fragmentation grenade was thrown into the site occupied by his command
group. Instantly realizing the extreme gravity of the situation, 1st
Lt. Steindam shouted a warning to alert his fellow soldiers in the
immediate vicinity. Then, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard
for his safety, 1st Lt. Steindam deliberately threw himself on the
grenade, absorbing the full and fatal force of the explosion as it
detonated. By his gallant action and self-sacrifice, he was able to
save the lives of the nearby members of his command group. The
extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by 1st Lt. Steindam
were an inspiration to his comrades and are in the highest traditions
of the U.S. Army.
LT Steindam was the 3/4 cav's only
Medal of Honor recipient