Thomas Kinsman passes

Stars & Stripes reports on the passing of Thomas Kinsman at the age of 72 years. He earned the Medal of Honor on February 6, 1968 in Vinh Long, Republic of Vietnam wile he was a rifleman assigned to Company B, 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, according to his citation at Military Times;

As Specialist Fourth Class Kinsman’s company was proceeding up a narrow canal in armored troops carriers, it came under sudden and intense rocket, automatic weapons and small-arms fire from a well entrenched Viet Cong force. The company immediately beached and began assaulting the enemy bunker complex. Hampered by exceedingly dense undergrowth which limited visibility to ten meters, a group of eight men became cut off from the main body of the company. As they were moving through heavy enemy fire to effect a link-up, an enemy soldier in a concealed position hurled a grenade into their midst. Specialist Fourth Class Kinsman immediately alerted his comrades of the danger, then unhesitatingly threw himself on the grenade and blocked the explosion with his body. As a result of his courageous action, he received severe head and chest wounds. Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard for his personal safety and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, Specialist Fourth Class Kinsman averted loss of life and injury to the other seven men of his element.

Category: Real Soldiers