Kenneth Michael Kays

He treated wounded comrades after losing part of his own leg

Kenneth Michael Kays was born in Mount Vernon, Illinois, on 22 September 1949 and grew up around Fairfield. He graduated from Fairfield High School in 1967 and later entered Army service as a medic.

Kenneth Michael Kays earned the Medal of Honor near Fire Support Base Maureen, Vietnam, on 7 May 1970. A medical aidman with Company D, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, he moved toward casualties during an enemy assault. An explosion severed part of his left leg, but he applied a tourniquet and continued treating and moving wounded men. Kays shielded one casualty with his body and went beyond the perimeter to reach another. He accepted treatment only after his comrades had been cared for and evacuated.

Kays survived his wounds. President Richard Nixon presented his Medal of Honor at the White House on 15 October 1973. He later returned to Fairfield and died there in November 1991. He was buried in Maple Hill Cemetery.

Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. (then Pvt.) Kays distinguished himself while serving as a medical aidman with Company D, 1st Battalion, 101st Airborne Division near Fire Support Base Maureen. A heavily armed force of enemy sappers and infantrymen assaulted Company D's night defensive position, wounding and killing a number of its members. Disregarding the intense enemy fire and ground assault, Pfc. Kays began moving toward the perimeter to assist his fallen comrades. In doing so he became the target of concentrated enemy fire and explosive charges, one of which severed the lower portion of his left leg. After applying a tourniquet to his leg, Pfc. Kays moved to the fire-swept perimeter, administered medical aid to one of the wounded, and helped move him to an area of relative safety. Despite his severe wound and excruciating pain, Pfc. Kays returned to the perimeter in search of other wounded men. He treated another wounded comrade, and, using his own body as a shield against enemy bullets and fragments, moved him to safety. Although weakened from a great loss of blood, Pfc. Kays resumed his heroic lifesaving efforts by moving beyond the company's perimeter into the enemy-held territory to treat a wounded American lying there. Only after his fellow wounded soldiers had been treated and evacuated did Pfc. Kays allow his own wounds to be treated. These courageous acts by Pfc. Kays resulted in the saving of numerous lives and inspired others in his company to repel the enemy. Pfc. Kays' heroism at the risk of his life are in keeping with the highest traditions of the service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.