Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Corps Veteran Brian L. Lane, who fought in the Battle of Kuwait International Airport during Desert Storm.
Brian L. Lane was born in Bedford, Indiana, in 1970. Lane enlisted in the Marine Corps before finishing high school in 1989. He earned the rank of lance corporal and was a member of the 3rd Battalion in the 7th Marine Regiment. During the Persian Gulf War, his unit deployed to Kuwait. Lane fought in one of the largest battles of the war on Feb. 27, 1991: The Battle of Kuwait International Airport.
Lane served in the battle with his fellow Task Force Grizzly Marines, a group comprised of members from the 2nd and 3rd Battalion in the 7th Marine Regiment and tasked with clearing mines. After several days of fighting, the Marines arrived at Kuwait City, which was the final stronghold of enemy resistance. Before they could enter city, the Marines first had to clear the Kuwait International Airport.
The Marines supported an enormous force of tanks and armored vehicles that advanced on the airport. The ensuing battle was fierce, and the remnants of the Iraqi force who had not already surrendered displayed a massive resistance. During this battle, Lane made the ultimate sacrifice along with 18 other Marines. Reports indicate that he was killed by an explosive blast, but no definitive information. Regardless, the sacrifice of Lane and his fellow Marines paved the way to a victory and the liberation of the Kuwaiti people.
Brian Lane Way, a street in his hometown of Bedford that was named in his honor, serves as a reminder that while he may be gone, he will never be forgotten.
We honor his service.
Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay
Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.
It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.
Contributors
Writer: Katherine Berman and Jarrett Dodson
Editor: Lutfia Khaleque and Cassidy Reid
Fact checker: Michael Macias
Graphic artist: Katie Rahill
Topics in this story
More Stories
This week’s Honoring Veterans Spotlight honors the service of Navy Veteran Ken Mattingly, who served as a pilot during the 1950s and later became an astronaut during the Apollo missions.
This week’s Honoring Veterans Spotlight honors the service of Air Force Veteran Gavino Cavazos, who served from 1949 to 1973 during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
This week’s Honoring Veterans Spotlight honors the service of Army Veteran Howard Brown, who served during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1969 and the Gulf War from 1969 to 1992.
We honor the service of Brian L. Lane.