Robert Sidney Kennemore (from June 21, 1920 to April 26, 1989), from Greenville, South Carolina, obtained a Medal of Honor during the Chosin Woser campaign in November 1950, when he deliberately covered enemy grenades with his legs to look after children to avoid getting hurt or killed. Staff Sergeant Kennemore, who lost both legs through his selfless sacrifice, is the 23rd Marine to receive the country's highest honor for heroism in Korea. The medal was presented to him by President Harry S. Truman during a ceremony at the White House on November 24, 1952.
Video Robert S. Kennemore
Biography
Kennemore was born on 21 June 1920 in Greenville, South Carolina. He attended high school in Simpsonville, South Carolina, until 1935, and was employed by Ward Ward Company, in Chicago, Illinois, before applying to the United States Marine Corps on June 20, 1940.
Completed his recruitment training at the Marine Marine Recruiting Depot in San Diego, California, in August 1940, he was stationed there until July 1942, when he sailed to the Pacific theater with the 1st Marine Division. After serving with the division in the Guadalcanal-Tulagi campaign, he returned to the United States in June 1943 to serve in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
In February 1944, he was ordered to Camp Pendleton, California, where he served until September. He was then stationed at the Marines Barracks, Klamath Falls, Oregon, until February 1945, when he was assigned to the Marines Barracks, at Naval Air Station, Boca Chica, Florida.
In July 1945, after a brief service at Camp Lejeune, he left for Japan to serve colonial tasks with the 2nd Marine Division. He returned to the United States in April 1946, and served briefly in San Diego and the Marines Barracks, New Orleans, Louisiana, until September 1946, when he began a year in charge of the Marine Barracks, Naval Mine Depot, Yorktown, Virginia. In September 1947, he was ordered to New York City, where he served for two years at the 3rd District Headquarters of the Marine Reserves.
Staff Sergeant Kennemore joined the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, at Camp Lejeune, in October 1949, and with the breakup of the Korean battle, moved with the battalion to the west coast in July 1950. The battalion to the -2 was made part of the 7th Marine, 1st Marine Division in August 1950, and the following month, Kennemore left for Korea, where he served with the 2nd Battalion in the Seoul and Chosin Reservoir campaign.
At Chosin Reservoir he lost both legs. Kennemore fought in a slit trench along with two other Marines when a grenade landed beside him. Regardless of his safety, he grabs it toss it back. Soon after, another grenade landed in the trench, and he used his legs to push him to earth. At this point he noticed another grenade lying close. Without hesitation he knelt down on the third grenade and effectively absorbed two grenade explosions through his legs. Because of his actions, Kennemore saved the lives of two Marines. Kennemore returned to the United States in December 1950 for treatment at the US Navy Hospital, Oakland, California. He remained there for almost a year, until his retirement on 31 October 1951.
Staff Sergeant Kennemore died on April 26, 1989. He was buried at San Francisco's National Cemetery, San Francisco, California.
Maps Robert S. Kennemore
Decorations
In addition to the Medal of Honor and Purple Heart he received for his wounds, the medal and decorations of SSgt Kennemore included Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze stars; Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with two bronze stars in lieu of second and third awards; US Defense Service Medal; American Theater Campaign Medal; The Asia Pacific Theater Campaign Medal with two bronze stars; Victory Medal of World War II; Navy Work Force Medal with Asian Grip; Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars; and the United Nations Service Medal.
Medal of Honor quote
President of the United States on behalf of Congress's pleasure in presenting MEDAL OF HONOR to
STAFF SERGEANT ROBERT S. KENNEMORE
KORPS LAUT UNITED STATES
for services as set out in the following CITATION:
For striking gallantry and courage at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty as Machine-Gun Section Leader at Company E, Second Battalion, Seventh Marine, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy enemy forces in Korea on 27 and 28 November 1950. With the firm's defense perimeter controlled by superior superior hostile forces during the cruel night raids in northern Yudam-ni and his platoon commander was seriously injured, Staff Sergeant Kennemore undoubtedly took command, quickly rearranging the unit and directing people in consolidating positions. When an enemy grenade lands in the midst of a machine-gun army, he boldly puts his feet on a missile and, in the face of almost certain deaths, personally absorbs the full force of the explosion to prevent injury to his fellow Marines. With his persistent courage, outstanding leadership, and unconditional efforts for his comrades, Staff Sergeant Kennemore was instrumental in pushing the enemy out of the area and upholding the highest tradition of the United States Navy Service.
/S/HARRY S. TRUMAN
Names of names
The Marine Corps League Detachment # 1105 in Greenville, South Carolina, Owens/Kennemore Detachment, was named for two Medal of Honor Greenville recipients - Robert Kennemore and World War II recipient Robert A. Owens.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor Korean War recipients
References
- Inline
- General
- This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
- "Staff Sergeant Robert S. Kennemore, USMC". Who in the Marine Corps' History . History Division, United States Marine Corps . Retrieved 2008/02/24 Ã,
- "SSgt Robert S. Kennemomre, Medal of Honor, 1950, 2/7/1, Korea (Medal of Honor citation)". Marines Receive Medal of Honor . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2007-01-03 . Retrieved 2006/06/20
Further reading
- Russ, Martin. Breakout: The Chosin Reservoir Campaign, Korea 1950 , Fromm International, 1999. (ISBNÃ, 0-88064-231-9)
External links
- Sterner, C. Douglas. "Fraternity of Frozen Chosin". Soldiers Brotherhood in War . HomeOfHeroes.com . Retrieved 2006-06-20 .
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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