Doyle V. Kimmey
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces

On 7 December 1941, Staff Sergeant Doyle V. Kimmey was serving with the 19th Transportation Squadron, 24th Division, U.S. Army Air Forces.

On that day, SSG Kimmey’s unit was in action against Japanese forces during the sneak attack on Hickam Field, Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii. While on duty as an aerial engineer, SSG Kimmey obtained a submachine gun, took cover under a small truck, and opened fire at the low-flying Japanese planes that were bombing and strafing the area. When his supply of ammunition was exhausted, SSG Kimmey left his shelter during the heavy attack to retrieve an abandoned sub-machine gun with a supply of ammunition. After returning to his former position, SSG Kimmey resumed fire until the truck under which he was taking cover was directly hit by a bomb, killing him instantly. SSG Kimmey’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Flight Engineer Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Doyle Kimmey (ASN: 6265447), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with 19th Transportation Squadron, 24th Division, in action against enemy forces on 7 December 1941, during the Japanese air attack on Hickam Field, Territory of Hawaii. While on duty as an aerial engineer, Sergeant Kimmey voluntarily obtained a submachine gun, took cover under a small truck, and opened fire at the low-flying enemy planes which were bombing and strafing the area. When his supply of ammunition was exhausted Sergeant Kimmey courageously left his shelter during the heavy attack to retrieve an abandoned sub-machine gun with a supply of ammunition and after gaining his former position resumed fire until the truck under which he was taking cover was directly hit by a bomb resulting in his instant death. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Kimmey on this occasion, at the cost of his life, have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

General Orders: Headquarters, Hawaiian Department, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 49 (1942)

Burial

Staff Sergeant Doyle V. Kimmey is buried at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Huntington, Angelina County, TX, in Section 4.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70645063/doyle-v.-kimmey