Medal of Honor: Thomas J. Kinsman – Vietnam War, February 6, 1968

Thomas James Kinsman
Specialist Four, U.S. Army
Conflict: Vietnam War
Unit: Company B, 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division
Date of Action: February 6, 1968
Location: Near Vinh Long, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action:
It was supposed to be a routine patrol—if such a thing existed in the jungles of Vietnam. But on February 6, 1968, in the searing chaos of Operation Coronado X, Specialist Four Thomas J. Kinsman found himself at a crossroads that would define a lifetime.

Kinsman, 22 years old and barely a year into his enlistment, was moving with eight fellow soldiers through thick vegetation when they were cut off from the main force and pinned down by a numerically superior and well-entrenched Viet Cong enemy. Visibility was poor. The terrain was unforgiving. And then—out of the blur of muzzle flashes and shouted orders—an enemy grenade arced into the middle of their small formation.

There was no time to think.

Kinsman shouted a warning and threw himself onto the grenade, absorbing the full detonation with his body. The blast tore into his head and chest—but every man around him survived.

Against all odds, Kinsman lived.

His wounds were grievous, but his resolve never wavered. Promoted to Specialist Four, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his unparalleled bravery—a split-second act of self-sacrifice that turned certain death into survival for seven fellow soldiers.

He would later return home to Washington, where he built a quiet life as a farmer and family man. He never sought recognition. He never spoke loudly of what he'd done. But those who knew his story understood that few acts of courage have ever spoken louder.

Medal of Honor Citation:
*"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Specialist Four Kinsman distinguished himself on 6 February 1968 while serving as a rifleman with Company B. During a sweep through dense terrain in an area of known enemy activity, his company came under heavy fire from a well-entrenched Viet Cong force.

As the firefight continued, Specialist Four Kinsman and 7 fellow soldiers moved forward through the dense underbrush toward the enemy position. Suddenly, an enemy grenade was hurled into their midst. Realizing the danger to his comrades, Specialist Four Kinsman unhesitatingly threw himself on the grenade, covering it with his body and absorbing the full and tremendous impact of the explosion.

His gallant action and total disregard for his personal well-being saved his fellow soldiers from serious injury or death and served as an inspiration to his entire company. Specialist Four Kinsman’s extraordinary heroism at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, is in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."*