Russell Albert Steindam

Russell Albert Steindam sacrificed his life to protect his soldiers during a night ambush operation in Vietnam, earning the Medal of Honor for extraordinary courage under enemy fire.

Born on 27 August 1946 in Austin, Texas, Steindam grew up in Plano and attended Plano High School. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and received his commission as an Infantry officer in 1968. He subsequently served in Vietnam with Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.

On 1 February 1970, First Lieutenant Steindam was leading members of his platoon toward a night ambush position in Tay Ninh Province when enemy forces opened fire with small arms, automatic weapons and grenades. Steindam directed return fire and ordered wounded soldiers into the protection of a shallow bomb crater. Remaining exposed, he continued directing his men.

When an enemy fragmentation grenade landed among members of his command group, Steindam immediately shouted a warning and threw himself onto the grenade. The explosion killed him, but his sacrifice saved nearby soldiers.

For his actions, Steindam was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously. His family received the decoration on 16 December 1971. His military honours also included two Bronze Star Medals and the Purple Heart. He was 23 years old when he died and is buried at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas, Texas.