b. 01/06/1918 Jenkins, Kentucky. d. 16/02/1951 near Kamil-ni, Korea.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 16/02/1951 near Kamil-ni, Korea.
Darwin K Kyle MOH
Darwin “Gus” Kyle was a veteran soldier who had served previously in World War II. Kyle joined the Army from Racine, West Virginia, in November 1939.
Darwin Kyle earned both a Silver Star and Bronze Star for his heroic actions in France and Germany. A Master Sergeant at the beginning of the Korean War, “Gus” was posthumously awarded the Soldiers Medal for his heroic actions on December 24, 1950, during the final stages of the Hungnam evacuation.
On January 27, 1951, he received a battlefield commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was killed in action on February 16, 1951, and on January 16, 1952, at the Pentagon, his widow accepted the posthumous award of the Medal of Honor for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty.
MOH CITATION:
2d Lt. Kyle, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. When his platoon had been pinned down by intense fire, he completely exposed himself to move among and encourage his men to continue the advance against enemy forces strongly entrenched on Hill 185. Inspired by his courageous leadership, the platoon resumed the advance but was again pinned down when an enemy machine gun opened fire, wounding six of the men. 2d Lt. Kyle immediately charged the hostile emplacement alone, engaged the crew in hand-to-hand combat, killing all three. Continuing on toward the objective, his platoon suddenly received an intense automatic-weapons fire from a well-concealed hostile position on its right flank. Again leading his men in a daring bayonet charge against this position, firing his carbine and throwing grenades, 2d Lt. Kyle personally destroyed four of the enemy before he was killed by a burst from an enemy submachine gun. The extraordinary heroism and outstanding leadership of 2d Lt. Kyle, and his gallant self-sacrifice, reflect the highest credit upon himself and are in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the military service.
BURIAL LOCATION: SUNSET MEMORIAL PARK, SOUTH CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA.
SECTION H, LOT 898.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
