John Timothy “Tim” Lane to be honored May 27

BREWSTER – Army PFC John Timothy “Tim” Lane, 20, was killed in action in Vietnam 55 years ago on May 4, 1968.

Lane was stationed in Hua Nghia Province when he and three other men in a night defensive position came under attack from an enemy force infiltrating his unit perimeter.
During the fierce fire fight, an enemy soldier threw a hand grenade which exploded in the hole where the soldiers were located. With complete disregard for his own safety, Lane covered the explosion with his own body.
At the time of his death, Lane was a member of the 9th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. For his actions Lane was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC).

Columbia Post 97 of the Brewster American Legion Post recently became aware of PFC Lanes’ sacrifice when a movement started by one of his army buddies, Jim Martin, sought to upgrade his DSC to the Congressional Medal of Honor (CMOH).

The Brewster American Legion will participate in a special ceremony honoring Lane at 9 a.m., Saturday, May 27, at Locust Grove Cemetery. Many dignitaries will attend including Congressman Dan Newhouse, military personnel from the 25th infantry from Ft. Carson Colorado, the Brewster American Legion honor guard, local government officials, family, and friends.

Lane was a 1966 Brewster high school graduate. Following graduation, he worked briefly for Crane and Crane Custom Orchards.

PFC Lane was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John S. Lane, two sisters, Trecia Lane Johnson, and Jo Ella Lane (now Crossland), and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John B. Stewart, La Habra, California.

Lane was the second Brewster casualty of the Vietnam conflict. Marine Lance Corporal Marvin Galbraith was killed six weeks before Lane. Lance Corporal Galbraith will also be mentioned and honored at the ceremony.