Darwin Keith Kyle
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Korean War

Darwin Keith Kyle was born on 1 June 1918 in Jenkins, KY. He was a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on 16 February 1951.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company K, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division

Place and date: Near Kamil-ni, Korea, 16 February 1951

Entered service at: Racine, WV

G.O. No.: 17, 1 February 1952

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 6 of the men. 2d Lt. Kyle immediately charged the hostile emplacement alone, engaged the crew in hand-to-hand combat, killing all 3. 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 4 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.

Other Medals

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Kyle was awarded the Purple Heart.

Honors

The U.S. Army named a camp after 2nd Lt. Kyle: Camp Kyle, near Uijeongbu, South Korea.

Death and Burial

Second Lieutenant Darwin Keith Kyle was killed in action on 16 February 1951. He is buried at Sunset Memorial Cemetery in South Charleston, Kanawha County, WV, in Section H, Lot 898.