Don Sloat
- Oct 13, 2010
- 1 min read
Updated: May 18, 2022
Coweta, Oklahoma, US
United States Army
SP4, CO, 2ND BN, 1ST INFANTRY, 196TH Infantry BDE, Americal Division
Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam, 01/17/1970
My brother Donald Sloat was killed in Vietnam in January 1970. The story that the family was told by the Army was that he had stepped on a land mine. A year and half ago my Mother learned that was not the case. We have since learned that Don gave his life to save the other men in his platoon, by catching a grenade that was on a tip wire set off by the solider in front of him. His body covered the blast of the explosion and those around him suffered wounds from the shapnel but only he died. My Mom has been on a quest for the last year and half trying to get Army records and statements for his Commanders. She has recently been given the good news that we have most of the evidence needed to support our claim, and now begins the process of trying to get the Army to recognize Don’s act of bravery.
It is truly humbling to read about Sergeant Don Sloat’s incredible bravery and the split-second decision he made to shield his fellow soldiers from that grenade blast. Knowing that he could have thrown it away but chose to keep it tucked against his body to ensure no one else was hurt is a level of selflessness that is hard to even wrap my head around. I was recently reading a discussion about historical research and New Assignment Help in Australia for veterans' archives, and it made me think about how many of these stories might have gone untold if not for dedicated projects like this one. It’s heartening to see him finally receive the Medal of Honour he deserved. I…