Unit/Command: Company K, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division
Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Action Date: February 16, 1951
Medal of Honor Action Place: near Kamil-ni, Korea
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 six of the men. 2d Lt. Kyle immediately charged the hostile emplacement alone, engaged the crew in hand-to-hand combat, killing all three. 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 four of the enemy before he was killed by a burst from an enemy submachine gun. 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.
Medal of Honor Recipient Darwin K. Kyle
Additional Details
Accredited to: Racine, Boone County, West Virginia
Awarded Posthumously: Yes
Presentation Date & Details: January 16, 1952 The Pentagon, presented by Sec. of Defense Robert Lovett to his Widow
Born: June 1, 1918, Jenkins, Letcher County, KY, United States
Died: February 16, 1951, Korea
Buried: Sunset Memorial Park (H-898), South Charleston, WV, United States