MOH

Medal of Honor: Robert S. Kennemore – Korean War – November 27–28, 1950

In a nighttime enemy breakthrough near Yudam-ni, one Marine leader rallied shattered defenses, held against overwhelming odds, and sacrificed himself to save his men — stepping onto a live grenade to absorb the blast.

November 28, 2025

Name: Robert Sidney Kennemore
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Organization: U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced)
Place and Date: North of Yudam-ni, Korea – 27–28 November 1950
Entered Service At: Greenville, South Carolina
Born: June 21, 1920 – Greenville, South Carolina
Departed: April 26, 1989
Accredited To: South Carolina

Summary of Action

During the night of November 27–28, 1950, north of Yudam-ni in the Chosin Reservoir campaign, Staff Sergeant Robert S. Kennemore faced a massive enemy assault that broke through the company’s defensive perimeter. When his platoon commander was seriously wounded in the opening moments of the battle, Kennemore immediately took command. Under withering fire, he reorganized scattered Marines, consolidated their positions, and directed a determined defense against a numerically superior force.

As the fighting raged, an enemy grenade suddenly landed among the members of a machinegun squad he was leading. With no time to shout a warning or push his Marines clear, Kennemore stepped forward and planted his foot directly onto the grenade, absorbing the full force of the explosion. The blast grievously wounded him — but saved the lives of the Marines around him.

Despite his catastrophic injuries, his earlier leadership and quick action were instrumental in halting the enemy penetration and enabling the men of Company E to drive the attackers from the position.

Medal of Honor Citation

KENNEMORE, ROBERT S.

Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, Company E, 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.).

Place and date: North of Yudam-ni, Korea, 27 and 28 November 1950.

Entered service at: Greenville, S.C.

Born: 21 June 1920, Greenville, S.C.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader of a machine gun section in Company E, in action against enemy aggressor forces. With the company’s defensive perimeter overrun by a numerically superior hostile force during a savage night attack north of Yudam-ni and his platoon commander seriously wounded, S/Sgt. Kennemore unhesitatingly assumed command, quickly reorganized the unit and directed the men in consolidating the position. When an enemy grenade landed in the midst of a machine gun squad, he bravely placed his foot on the missile and, in the face of almost certain death, personally absorbed the full force of the explosion to prevent injury to his fellow marines. By his indomitable courage, outstanding leadership and selfless efforts in behalf of his comrades, S/Sgt. Kennemore was greatly instrumental in driving the enemy from the area and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.