Staff Sergeant Robert Sidney Kennemore was a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 27, 1950 north of Yudam-ni, Korea during the Korean War. At the time he was serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein). Kennemore was 30 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on November 24, 1952.
Kennemore was born on June 21, 1920 in Greenville, Greenville County, South Carolina. Kennemore died on April 26, 1989 in Oxnard, California, at the age of 68. He is buried at San Francisco National Cemetery in San Francisco, California.
Kennemore is one of 153 Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War and one of 33 credited to South Carolina.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader of a machine-gun section in Company E, in action against enemy aggressor forces. With the company's defensive perimeter overrun by a numerically superior hostile force during a savage night attack north of Yudam-ni and his platoon commander seriously wounded, S/Sgt. Kennemore unhesitatingly assumed command, quickly reorganized the unit and directed the men in consolidating the position. When an enemy grenade landed in the midst of a machine-gun squad, he bravely placed his foot on the missile and, in the face of almost certain death, personally absorbed the full force of the explosion to prevent injury to his fellow marines. By his indomitable courage, outstanding leadership, and selfless efforts in behalf of his comrades, S/Sgt. Kennemore was greatly instrumental in driving the enemy from the area and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Robert Sidney Kennemore received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Battle of Changjin Reservoir
8 Medal of Honor recipients
1950 · Korean WarSecond Battle of Seoul
Result: United Nations victory
4 Medal of Honor recipients
Also served in: World War II, Korean War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in South Carolina →
Timeline
- June 21, 1920Born in Greenville, Greenville County, South Carolina
- November 27, 1950Act of valor — north of Yudam-ni, KoreaAge 30. Company E, 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein)
- November 24, 1952Medal of Honor presented
- April 26, 1989Died in Oxnard, CaliforniaAge 68.
- Resting placeSan Francisco National CemeterySan Francisco, California
Biography
Robert Sidney Kennemore (June 21, 1920 – April 26, 1989) was a United States Marine who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in November 1950, when he deliberately covered an enemy grenade with his foot to keep his men from being wounded or killed. Staff Sergeant Kennemore, who lost both of his legs in the incident, was the 23rd marine to receive his nation's highest award 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.
From the Wikipedia article “Robert S. Kennemore”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
