Thomas Kinsman Jumped On A Grenade: Renton Medal Of Honor Recipient Dies At 72

RENTON, WA - Renton native and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Thomas Kinsman died on Monday at age 72, according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Kinsman is the second local Medal of Honor recipient to die within the last two weeks. World War II retired Master Sgt. Wilburn K. Ross died at age 94 in Tacoma on May 9.

Kinsman was born in Renton in 1945. While serving in the Army in Vietnam, Kinsman threw himself on a grenade to save his fellow soldiers during a firefight. Here's how the Congressional Medal of Honor Society described Kinsman's actions:

"As his company was proceeding up a narrow canal in armored troops carriers, it came under sudden and intense rocket, automatic weapons and small-arms fire from a well entrenched Viet Cong force. The company immediately beached and began assaulting the enemy bunker complex. Hampered by exceedingly dense undergrowth which limited visibility to 10 meters, a group of 8 men became cut off from the main body of the company. As they were moving through heavy enemy fire to effect a link-up, an enemy soldier in a concealed position hurled a grenade into their midst.

"Sp4c. Kinsman immediately alerted his comrades of the danger, then unhesitatingly threw himself on the grenade and blocked the explosion with his body. As a result of his courageous action, he received severe head and chest wounds. Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard for his personal safety and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, Sp4c. Kinsman averted loss of life and injury to the other 7 men of his element. Sp4c. Kinsman's extraordinary heroism at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army."

Kinsman received his medal in 1969 from President Richard Nixon.

Image via Congressional Medal of Honor Society