MOH

Medal of Honor: Darwin K. Kyle – U.S. Army – Korean War

Pinned down under devastating fire on a frozen Korean hillside, one young officer refused to let his men falter. He led from the front—twice charging alone into enemy guns.

February 17, 2026

Name: Darwin K. Kyle
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company K, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Divisionundefined
Place: Near Kamil-ni, Korea
Entered Service At: Racine, West Virginia
Born: 1 June 1918, Jenkins, Kentucky
G.O. No.: 17, 1 February 1952

Summary of Action

On 16 February 1951, during heavy fighting near Kamil-ni, Korea, Second Lieutenant Darwin K. Kyle’s platoon was pinned down by intense enemy fire from strongly entrenched positions on Hill 185.

With complete disregard for his own safety, Lt. Kyle fully exposed himself as he moved among his men, encouraging and rallying them to continue the advance. Inspired by his leadership, the platoon pressed forward—only to be halted again when an enemy machine gun opened fire, wounding six soldiers.

Without hesitation, Lt. Kyle charged the hostile emplacement alone. Closing with the enemy, he engaged the three-man crew in hand-to-hand combat and killed all of them, silencing the weapon.

As the platoon advanced again toward its objective, it suddenly came under fierce automatic-weapons fire from a concealed position on the right flank. Once more leading from the front, Lt. Kyle launched a daring bayonet charge. Firing his carbine and throwing grenades as he advanced, he personally destroyed four enemy soldiers before being fatally struck by a burst from an enemy submachine gun.

His fearless aggression broke the enemy resistance and inspired his platoon to continue the assault, securing the objective.

Medal of Honor Citation

KYLE, DARWIN K.

Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company K, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division.
Place and date: Near Kamil-ni, Korea, 16 February 1951.
Entered service at: Racine, W. Va.
Born: 1 June 1918, Jenkins, Ky.
G.O. No.: 17, 1 February 1952.

Citation:
2d Lt. Kyle distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. When his platoon had been pinned down by intense fire, he completely exposed himself to move among and encourage his men to continue the advance against enemy forces strongly entrenched on Hill 185. Inspired by his courageous leadership, the platoon resumed the advance but was again pinned down when an enemy machine gun opened fire, wounding 6 of the men. 2d Lt. Kyle immediately charged the hostile emplacement alone, engaged the crew in hand-to-hand combat, killing all 3. Continuing on toward the objective, his platoon suddenly received an intense automatic-weapons fire from a well-concealed hostile position on its right flank. Again leading his men in a daring bayonet charge against this position, firing his carbine and throwing grenades, 2d Lt. Kyle personally destroyed 4 of the enemy before he was killed by a burst from an enemy submachinegun. The extraordinary heroism and outstanding leadership of 2d Lt. Kyle and his gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon himself and are in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the military service.