Sgt. Elbert Kinser

[Vulture6]

Ever been stationed at Camp Kinser in Okinawa? Now you know who it was named after.


ELBERT LUTHER KINSER
SERGEANT, USMCR



On Independence Day, 1946, at Greeneville, Tennessee, a grateful nation paid tribute to a gallant Marine, posthumously awarding the Medal of Honor to the late Marine Sergeant Elbert Luther Kinser, of Greeneville.

Sergeant Kinser won the nation's highest military decoration while acting as a leader of a rifle platoon, serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action on Okinawa.

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, Sergeant Kinser engaged the enemy in a fierce hand grenade battle.

Quick to act when a Japanese grenade landed in the immediate vicinity, Sergeant 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. The action occurred on 4 May 1945.

Major General Clifton B. Cates, later to become Commandant of the Marine Corps, presented the medal to the parents of the sergeant, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie P. Kinser, of Greeneville, during ceremonies attended by a host of dignitaries including the governor of the State of Tennessee.

The native Tennessean, born in Greeneville, 21 October 1922, enlisted with the Marine Corps in December, 1942 and received his preliminary or "boot" training at Parris Island, South Carolina. Prior to enlisting, he had worked on his father's farm.

He sailed from the United States in March, 1943, and joined the 7th Replacement Battalion in Pago Pago, Tutuila, American Samoa. Later, that battalion joined the 1st Marine Division in Melbourne, Australia, and Sergeant Kinser was assigned to Company I, 1st Marines.

Action with the 1st Marines followed at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, and later at Peleliu, Palau Islands. On Easter Sunday, 1 April 1945, Sergeant Kinser landed with his unit at Okinawa, where he was subsequently killed in action on 4 May.

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Sergeant Kinser was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart; Presidential Unit Citation awarded the 1st Marine Division, Reinforced, for service on Okinawa; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

Sergeant Kinser was buried in the 1st Marine Division Cemetery on Okinawa and his remains were returned to the United States in early 1949 for burial in Greeneville, Tennessee.

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

SERGEANT ELBERT L. KINSER
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE

for service as set forth in the following

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, Third Battalion, First Marines, First 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, Sergeant Kinser engaged the enemy in a fierce hand grenade battle. Quick to act when a Japanese grenade landed in the immediate vicinity, Sergeant 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 United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.



/S/ HARRY S. TRUMAN