John E. Kilmer

Shielding a wounded Marine through shellfire

John Edward Kilmer was born on August 15, 1930, in Highland Park, Illinois. He served in the U.S. Navy as a medical corpsman attached to a Marine rifle company in the 1st Marine Division during the Korean War.

On August 13, 1952, his company defended a forward hill against a large enemy assault. Kilmer repeatedly crossed fire-swept ground to treat wounded Marines and help evacuate them. Mortar fragments wounded him as he went to another casualty. He continued to the man, administered first aid, and covered him with his body when shellfire intensified. Kilmer was mortally wounded while protecting his comrade.

Secretary of the Navy Robert B. Anderson presented his posthumous Medal of Honor to his mother, Lois B. Kilmer, at the Pentagon on July 8, 1953. Kilmer was buried at San Jose Burial Park in San Antonio, Texas. His award records a corpsman's devotion to wounded men even after he had been injured himself.

Official Medal of Honor citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action against enemy aggressor forces. With his company engaged in defending a vitally important hill position well forward of the main line of resistance during an assault by large concentrations of hostile troops, HC Kilmer repeatedly braved intense enemy mortar, artillery, and sniper fire to move from one position to another, administering aid to the wounded and expediting their evacuation. Painfully wounded himself when struck by mortar fragments while moving to the aid of a casualty, he persisted in his efforts and inched his way to the side of the stricken marine through a hail of enemy shells falling around him. Undaunted by the devastating hostile fire, he skillfully administered first aid to his comrade and, as another mounting barrage of enemy fire shattered the immediate area, unhesitatingly shielded the wounded man with his body. Mortally wounded by flying shrapnel while carrying out this heroic action, HC Kilmer, by his great personal valor and gallant spirit of self-sacirfice in saving the life of a comrade, served to inspire all who observed him. His unyielding devotion to duty in the face of heavy odds reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for another.