TFH 2/16: 2LT Darwin K. Kyle, USA

Darwin Keith Kyle was born on June 1, 1918 in Jenkins, Kentucky. His parents moved to West Virginia, where he spent his youth. Kyle entered the United States Army in 1940 and served in the European Theater during World War II, receiving the Silver Star and Bronze Star Medal for valor in action.

Kyle remained in the Army after the end of hostilities and returned to combat as a Master Sergeant with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division during the Korean War. Casualties to officers saw him receive a battlefield commission as a Second Lieutenant, and it was in that capacity as a platoon leader on February 16, 1951 that he charged two fortified enemy positions and engaged the enemy hand-to-hand. Both positions were taken under Kyle's leadership, and while he lost his life to a burst from an enemy weapon, a grateful nation awarded him its highest honor.


From Medal of Honor Citations for the Korean War:

*KYLE, DARWIN K.

Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company K, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Kamil-ni, Korea, 16 February 1951. Entered service at: Racine, W. Va. Born: 1 June 1918, Jenkins, Ky. 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 submachinegun. 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.

Lieutenant Kyle's remains were repatriated to the United States and were interred in the Sunset Memorial Park in South Charleston, West Virginia.

The Army named Camp Kyle for this heroic soldier. That facility in South Korea was closed in 2005.

3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry serves today a light infantry battalion with the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Divison. Their home post is Fort Stewart, Georgia.