Thomas James Kinsman

What would you do if a grenade landed among your comrades and you had only seconds to react? On February 6, 1968, during the Vietnam War, Thomas James Kinsman made a choice that saved seven American soldiers. With enemy fire surrounding his unit near Vinh Long, South Vietnam, the young infantryman threw himself over a grenade, absorbing the explosion with his body. His extraordinary courage earned him the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration for valor.

Born on March 4, 1945, in Renton, Washington, Kinsman grew up in Washington state and worked in logging before entering the U.S. Army in 1967. He deployed to South Vietnam as a rifleman in Company B, 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. His battalion served in the Mekong Delta, where American infantry and naval forces conducted dangerous operations through canals, rivers, rice paddies, and dense tropical vegetation.

In early February 1968, the Mobile Riverine Force was fighting Viet Cong formations around Vinh Long during Operation CORONADO X, part of the American response to the Tet Offensive. On February 6, Kinsman's company was conducting a reconnaissance-in-force mission when entrenched enemy troops opened fire with rockets, automatic weapons, and small arms.

The Americans landed from their armored troop carriers and attacked the enemy bunker complex. In the confusion, eight soldiers, including Private First Class Kinsman, became separated from their company. Dense undergrowth restricted their visibility as they attempted to rejoin the main force.

Then an enemy grenade landed among them.

Kinsman immediately warned his comrades. Rather than seek cover, he threw himself onto the grenade and shielded the others from the blast. He suffered severe wounds to his head and chest, but his actions prevented the deaths or injuries of the seven men beside him.

His courage was recognized with the Medal of Honor, formally recorded in Department of the Army General Orders No. 40 of June 13, 1969. On May 17, 1969, President Richard M. Nixon personally presented him with the medal at the White House. By then, Kinsman had attained the rank of Specialist Four.

Kinsman also received the Purple Heart for his combat wounds. His qualifying service entitled him to the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze campaign stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with its 1960 period device. His battalion's wartime service was recognized through the Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class Unit Citation.

Following extensive medical treatment and recovery, Kinsman returned to civilian life in Washington state. Despite receiving America's highest military honour, he remained modest about his actions and expressed pride in the fellow soldiers with whom he had served.

Thomas James Kinsman died on May 15, 2017, at the age of 72. His legacy endures not simply because he received the Medal of Honor, but because of the seven comrades who survived that day. In the chaos of battle, he demonstrated that extraordinary heroism can be measured in a single decision to put the lives of others before one's own.