Thomas Kinsman’s Heroic Act in Vinh Long, Vietnam

In 1967, at the age of 22, Thomas James Kinsman made the life-altering decision to enlist in the United States Army, driven by a deep sense of duty and commitment to his country during a time of war. Hailing from Seattle, Washington, he joined the ranks of the military and was soon assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. By February 6, 1968, he found himself in the thick of combat as part of Operation Coronado X in the Republic of Vietnam, where he would soon demonstrate extraordinary bravery in the face of overwhelming danger.

Kinsman’s defining moment of heroism occurred during a fierce battle near Vinh Long, Vietnam. As his unit engaged in intense combat with a well-entrenched Viet Cong force, he and a small group of eight soldiers became separated from the main company. As they moved cautiously through dense jungle terrain, an enemy soldier hurled a grenade directly into their midst. Without hesitation, Kinsman shouted a warning to his comrades and instinctively threw himself onto the explosive device, using his own body to absorb the full force of the blast. His selfless act saved the lives of the seven men around him but left him with critical head and chest wounds, forever altering the course of his life.

Following his recovery, Kinsman was promoted to the rank of Specialist Four and was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration, in recognition of his unparalleled courage. His official citation lauded his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty," a testament to the profound impact of his sacrifice. In 1971, he married Deloris Binion, and together they built a life in Toledo, Washington, where they raised seven children. Transitioning from the battlefield to civilian life, Kinsman embraced the quiet but fulfilling work of farming, dedicating himself to his family and community with the same resilience and devotion that had defined his military service.

Though his wartime heroics had made history, Kinsman remained a humble man, embodying the virtues of duty, sacrifice, and perseverance. His legacy, immortalized through the Medal of Honor and the lives he saved, stands as a powerful reminder of the extraordinary courage that ordinary men can summon in the most harrowing moments of war.

During the Vietnam War (1955–1975), a total of 261 Medals of Honor were awarded to U.S. military personnel for acts of extraordinary bravery. These were presented to members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, with many awarded posthumously to those who sacrificed their lives in combat.

The breakdown by branch is as follows:

• Army: 178
• Marine Corps: 57
• Navy: 16
• Air Force: 10

The Vietnam War saw some of the most intense combat of the 20th century, and the Medal of Honor recipients from this era exemplified selflessness and heroism under extreme conditions.