Stephen John Chaney was born in Marion, Ohio, 26 January 1946. He was the son of Kenneth D. Chaney and Frances Rita Irvin Chaney. Stephen’s father, Kenneth D. Chaney, was also a veteran. The elder Chaney served during World War Two and the Korean War. Stephen J. Chaney was a 1964 graduate of Marion Catholic High School. Stephen was an athlete recruited by many top colleges. He was an All-Ohio football player in 1963 while playing for Marion Catholic High School. He surprised many when he chose Notre Dame to be his college selection. Many thought he would seek an appointment to West Point.

After only a year at Notre Dame, Chaney felt the call to serve his country in a time of need. He enlisted and served his country working his way through the ranks. On 8 February 1967, Chaney earned his commission at Fort Benning, Georgia. He later attained the rank of Captain.

He served 14 months as a platoon leader of a long range reconnaisance patrol while in Viet Nam. It was during this time that he recognized a dire need for good leaders. Instead of being discharged and returning to Notre Dame as was a dream for him, he remained to try and save young soldiers by being a leader to them. After spending 30 days leave with his parents, Chaney returned for another six months tour in Vietnam.

A young 2nd Lieutenant Stephen J. Chaney would give the oath of enlistment to his father, Master Sergeant Kenneth D. Chaney. This would be the eighth time Master Sergeant Chaney would say the oath of enlistment as he was a career Army man. Lt. Chaney was home on leave prior to leaving for a tour in Vietnam.
From Army Reserve Magazine February 1968, Page 30

Chaney’s leadership style can be summed up by the awards he received: awarded the Bronze Star Medal ‘…for Meritorious Service for the totality of his leadership skills.’ He received the Army Commendation Medal ‘…for his leadership and quick action during efforts to extinguish a warehouse fire caused by an enemy rocket attack, personally leading the removal of critical equipment from the burning warehouse, stopping only when forced to by intense heat and the threat of exploding ordinance.’
Shared by Tim Lyons.

While assigned to Reconnaissance Team Missouri, CCN, MACV-SOG, 5TH SF GROUP, on a covert mission with in Loas in September of 1969, he remained at his post to call in close air support for his men, in which he would receive shrapnel wounds from the strike. Captain Chaney, although injured, remained to account and gather all his men for an evacuation. He remained until all his men were loaded; he was to be the last evacuated when the helicopters arrived. Sadly, Chaney died before arriving at a field hospital. Captain Stephen J. Chaney received the Silver Star for his actions. His parents would receive the posthumous award at Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio, in early 1970. Among Capt. Chaney’s awards he also was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge.

Chaney is so honored in Marion, Ohio, that VFW Post 7201 is named in his honor, Stephen J. Chaney VFW Post 7201.

Citation:

Silver Star

For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Captain Chaney distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 23 September 1969 while leading a reconnaissance patrol deep in enemy-controlled territory.

Following helicopter insertion into the hostile area, Captain Chaney led his men in a careful search for signs of enemy movement. As the team moved cautiously through the enemy sanctuary, a footbridge crossing a narrow stream was spotted a short distance away. Captain Chaney instructed his men to take up defensive positions while he crawled close to the bridge. From there he observed a contingent of about fifteen enemy troops encamped across the stream. He then crawled back to his men and briefed them on a plan to call in air strikes on the unsuspecting enemy and then assault them while they were stunned and confused.

When the helicopter gunships arrived over the enemy’s position, Captain Chaney began directing and adjusting their fire on the foe. The rockets fired by the first gunship were exactly on target, but one rocket fired by the second gunship veered from its course and impacted near the reconnaissance team’s position, wounding every member of the team and preventing the planned assault.

Although critically wounded by flying shrapnel, Captain Chaney calmly remained in control of the situation. He informed the forward air controller of what had happened and requested that an extraction team be dispatched to evacuate his men. When the recovery team arrived, Captain Chaney, now extremely weak and close to expiring, was still in command of his men and anxious that they be promptly evacuated and given medical assistance. Captain Chaney, however, succumbed to his wounds before he reached rear medical facilities.

Captain Chaney’s gallantry in action, at the cost of his life, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

Captain Stephen J. Chaney is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park in Marion, Ohio; on the west wall of the Marion County Courthouse; on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the Marion County Admin building, at 222 West Center St., in Marion, Ohio.
Capt. Stephen J. Chaney is also remembered on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, Washington, D. C., on Panel 18W Line 129.

“Casualties“, by Heather Brandon:

Some were his classmates, some teammates, and this friend Tim wrote a beautiful eulogy and read it. It was just beautiful. He said Stephen had said – and I know it’s true, that he sat in our living room and said this – “I went over there the first time, and I was this gung-ho Second Lieutenant. I know now that it is a political war, but I have to go back, because of all these eighteen and nineteen-year-old boys who are going over there. If I can save just one…”

Further Reading:
The American Catholic