Draft:Leandor L. Doan

Leander L. Doan

Leander LaChance Doan (born November 17, 1905, in Los Angeles, California; died April 3, 1964) was a major general in the United States Army. Among other positions, he served as the commander of the 1st Armored Division.

Leander Doan was the son of Judge Frank Wilson Doan (1877–1920) and Ethel L. Rudolph (1882–1947). He graduated from high school in Douglas, Arizona, in 1923. From 1923 to 1927, he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. After graduating, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the officer corps of the U.S. Army, where he rose through the ranks from lieutenant to major general.

Throughout his military career, Doan completed various courses and training programs, including the Basic Cavalry Officers Course (1933), the Special Advance Equitation Course (1935), the Command and General Staff College (1946), and the National War College (1949).

In his early years, Doan served in various units and locations, performing duties typical of junior officers, including staff officer roles at various headquarters. From 1927 to 1931, he was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, followed by a transfer to South Dakota, where he served until 1935. He then served as an instructor at the Western Military Academy until 1939. From 1939 to 1941, he commanded a squadron at Fort Leavenworth.

With the impending entry of the United States into World War II, Doan was transferred to Louisiana, where he participated in extensive military maneuvers as a battalion commander in two regiments. He served in the 33rd Armored Regiment as a battalion commander and then as a staff officer. This regiment was part of the 3rd Armored Division, which saw action in northern France and advanced into Germany. From July 1944 to October 1945, Doan commanded the 32nd Armored Regiment of the 3rd Armored Division and, from March 1945, also commanded Combat Command A of the division. For his military achievements during this time, he received multiple awards.

In 1946, Doan was assigned to Fort Knox, where he commanded a unit of the Army Ground Forces. From July 1946 to August 1948, he served as a staff officer at the Ground Forces Headquarters in Fort Monroe, Virginia. He then served as a staff officer with EUCOM, working with the United States Constabulary until 1950, followed by a role as a liaison officer to the United States Air Force until 1951.

From October 1951 to April 1953, Doan served as a staff officer with the 1st Armored Division at Fort Hood, then commanded the division from April to August 1953. He subsequently commanded the 2nd Armored Division, stationed in Germany, until early 1955. Doan then led the Armor Section at the HQ Continental Army Command in Fort Monroe until 1958. He was then transferred to Taiwan, where he served as Chief of the Military Assistance and Advisory Group until June 1960. From November 1960 to April 1961, he was Chief of Staff at the HQ Continental Command. He retired from active military service on November 30, 1961.

Leander Doan passed away on April 3, 1964, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Awards and Decorations

Leander Doan received numerous awards during his military career, including:

Distinguished Service Cross Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart Legion of Honor (France) Croix de Guerre (France) Fourragere (Belgium) American Defense Service Medal European Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal Army of Occupation Medal Europe External Links

Leander LaChance Doan in the Find a Grave database Doan in the Hall of Valor