Famous Lee Lane’s last full measure

In case you didn’t know, there is a museum here in Poplar Bluff. It has tales of us, our family and our history. I want to tell you some of those tales found within the museum walls.

Famous Lee Lane was a large man from Poplar Bluff. He was quiet with a big smile. In 1965, he was serving in the Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division. He was serving as a mess cook. He loved the Army and loved the machine guns. Since the Airborne troops only carried light weapons, the Battalion mess had all the heavy weapons. The 50 cal. machine guns were mounted on the mess trucks. Famous volunteered to care for the big guns.

In 1965, Famous was deployed with his unit to the Dominican Republic to quell a local rebellion. Soon his unit was being strafed by two rebel aircraft. Famous jumped on his 50 caliber machine gun and proceeded to shoot down one of them.

In 1966, Famous was sent to Vietnam. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division as a cook again. Famous went to his commander and requested a transfer to the infantry. He soon found himself on patrol with an M-60 machine gun. Being one of the few African Americans in his rifle platoon, Famous suffered from ridicule from his white comrades. He took it in stride with his big smile.

On April 20, 1966, near Phan Thiet his patrol was crossing a large rice paddy. They came under heavy fire from the opposite tree line. The first two point men were cut down. Famous opened up with his machine gun giving covering fire. When he saw the men were wounded and still alive, Famous stood up and charged their position. He picked up both men, one under each arm, and began sprinting back to cover. These men were some of his tormentors. That didn’t matter on April 20.

Before he reached safety, Famous received several mortal wounds and was killed. He gave his last full measure to save his comrades. Pvt. First Class Famous Lane’s heroic actions that day were recognized with America’s second highest decoration, the Distinguished Service Cross.

A recent article in the VFW Magazine was written about the “Famous Man.” It is proudly on display in the Vietnam exhibit of the Kanell Hall Veterans Museum. His photo is included in the Hall of Heroes.

Both exhibits are located in the Poplar Bluff Museum. The museum is open every Sunday free of charge from 1-4 p.m. at 1010 Main St., Poplar Bluff (formerly the Old Mark Twain School).

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.