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Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Birth: 21
October 1922, Greeneville, Tenn. Accredited to: Tennessee. Citation: For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty while acting as leader of a Rifle Platoon, serving
with Company I, 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action
against Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 4 May 1945.
Taken under sudden, close attack by hostile troops entrenched on the reverse
slope while moving up a strategic ridge along which his platoon was holding
newly won positions, Sgt. Kinser engaged the enemy in a fierce hand grenade
battle. Quick to act when a Japanese grenade landed in the immediate vicinity,
Sgt. Kinser unhesitatingly threw himself on the deadly missile, absorbing
the full charge of the shattering explosion in his own body and thereby
protecting his men from serious injury and possible death. Stouthearted
and indomitable, he had yielded his own chance of survival that his comrades
might live to carry on the relentless battle against a fanatic enemy. His
courage, cool decision and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face
of certain death sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the U.S.
Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)
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