Kenneth Lee Worley

He covered a grenade to shield the Marines sleeping near him

Kenneth Lee Worley was born in Farmington, New Mexico, in 1948. After attending school there and at Truth or Consequences, he moved to California. Orphaned while young, he worked before being taken into the home of Don and Rose Feyerherm, who became his foster parents.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps at Fresno on 14 June 1967. Following recruit training in San Diego and infantry training at Camp Pendleton, he was promoted to private first class and sent to Vietnam in November. He served with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, first as a rifleman and later as a machine gunner. He became a lance corporal in May 1968.

On 12 August 1968, his patrol occupied a house at Bo Ban in Quang Nam Province as an ambush position. During the early morning, enemy grenades landed among the Marines. Awakened by the warning, Worley immediately threw himself over the grenade nearest his comrades.

He absorbed its explosion and was killed. Other grenades caused minor wounds, but his action protected the men beside him from the main blast.

His family received his posthumous Medal of Honor at the White House in April 1970. He was buried at Westminster Memorial Park in California. His other decorations included the Purple Heart and the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze campaign stars.

Official Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a machine gunner with Company L, 3d Battalion, in action against enemy forces. After establishing a night ambush position in a house in Bo Ban, a hamlet of Quang Nam Province, security was set up and the remainder of the patrol members retired until their respective watch. During the early morning hours the marines were abruptly awakened by the platoon leader's warning that "grenades" had landed in the house. Fully realizing the inevitable result of his actions, L/Cpl. Worley, in a valiant act of heroism, instantly threw himself upon the grenade nearest him and his comrades, absorbing with his body, the full and tremendous force of the explosion. Through his extraordinary initiative and inspiring valor in the face of almost certain death, he saved his comrades from serious injury and possible loss of life although five of his fellow marines incurred minor wounds as the other grenades exploded. L/Cpl. Worley's gallant actions upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.