Medal of Honor: Elbert Luther Kinser – World War II – May 4, 1945

Name: Elbert Luther Kinser
Rank: Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
War: World War II
Unit: Company I, 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division
Date of Action: May 4, 1945
Location: Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Chain

Summary of Action

On 4 May 1945, Sergeant Elbert Luther Kinser distinguished himself during the brutal fighting on Okinawa.

His platoon had just secured a hard-won position along a strategic ridge when Japanese forces launched a sudden and violent counterattack from the reverse slope.

The enemy was close.

Too close.

The fight quickly turned into a desperate grenade duel at point-blank range.

Explosions ripped through the position as both sides hurled grenades back and forth in a frantic struggle for survival.

Then, in a single moment, a Japanese grenade landed among Kinser and his men.

There was no time to throw it back.

No time to run.

Without hesitation, Kinser acted.

He threw himself onto the grenade.

The explosion was absorbed by his body.

His Marines lived.

In that instant, he made the ultimate sacrifice—giving his life so his platoon could continue the fight.

His courage, decisiveness, and complete devotion to his men reflected the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the Naval Service.

Medal of Honor Citation

KINSER, ELBERT LUTHER

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while acting as leader of a Rifle Platoon, serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action against Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 4 May 1945. Taken under sudden, close attack by hostile troops entrenched on the reverse slope while moving up a strategic ridge along which his platoon was holding newly won positions, Sgt. Kinser engaged the enemy in a fierce hand grenade battle. Quick to act when a Japanese grenade landed in the immediate vicinity, Sgt. Kinser unhesitatingly threw himself on the deadly missile, absorbing the full charge of the shattering explosion in his own body and thereby protecting his men from serious injury and possible death. Stouthearted and indomitable, he had yielded his own chance of survival that his comrades might live to carry on the relentless battle against a fanatic enemy. His courage, cool decision and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.