Kays, Kenneth Michael

1949 - 1991  (42 years)

• Name	Kays, Kenneth Michael
  		Kenny Kays Received the Medal from President Nixon in October 1973
  Birth	22 Sep 1949	Mount Vernon, Jefferson County, Illinois   [1, 2]
  Gender	Male
  Reference Number	KAYS.K001
  _FGRAVE	7862000
  Military Service	Viet Nam War, Private First Class, Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, United States Army  [1, 2]
  	Private Kays' official Medal of Honor citation reads: For conspicuous gallantry intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. (then Pvt.) Kays distinguished himself while serving as a medical aidman with Company D, 1st Battalion, 101st Airborne Division near Fire Support Base Maureen. A heavily armed force of enemy sappers and infantrymen assaulted Company D's night defensive position, wounding and killing a number of its members. Disregarding the intense enemy fire and ground assault, Pfc. Kays began moving toward the perimeter to assist his fallen comrades. In doing so he became the target of concentrated enemy fire and explosive charges, 1 of which severed the lower portion of his left leg. After applying a tourniquet to his leg, Pfc. Kays moved to the fire-swept perimeter, administered medical aid to 1 of the wounded, and helped move him to an area of relative safety. Despite his severe wound and excruciating pain, Pfc. Kays returned to the perimeter in search of other wounded men. He treated another wounded comrade, and, using his own body as a shield against enemy bullets and fragments, moved him to safety. Although weakened from a great loss of blood, Pfc. Kays resumed his heroic lifesaving efforts by moving beyond the company's perimeter into enemy held territory to treat a wounded American lying there. Only after his fellow wounded soldiers had been treated and evacuated did Pfc. Kays allow his own wounds to be treated. These courageous acts by Pfc. Kays resulted in the saving of numerous lives and inspired others in his company to repel the enemy. Pfc. Kays' heroism at the risk of his life are in keeping with the highest traditions of the service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
  		United States of America Flag, 50 Stars (1960 - Present) This is the current flag of the United States. This flag became the official United States flag in 1960 when a star was added for the State of Hawaii. It replaced the short-lived 49-star flag (July 4, 1959 - July 3, 1960) honoring the State of Alaska. An Executive Order by President Eisenhower provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine…
  		Kenneth Michael Kays (1949-1991)
  		United States Army Prior to the establishment of the "Department of the Army Emblem", there was no official display item to identify the Army. The Seal had traditionally been used to authenticate documents only and was not authorized for public display. In recognizing the need to provide a display item, the Secretary of the Army approved the emblem design as the…
  		United States Army
  		Private First Class (abbreviated as PFC) (paygrade E-3), United States Army (May 1968-2019) PFCs are promoted to this level after one year or earlier by request of supervisor. Individual can begin Basic Combat Training (BCT) at this level with experience or prior military training. Carries out orders issued to them to the best of his/her ability.
  		United States Army Enlisted Rank Insignia
  		Military Service Ribbons, Kays, Kenneth Michael (1949-1991) Contributed by Carl Wayne Gray
  		Medal of Honor, United States Army
  		Medal of Honor
  		Purple Heart Medal, United States Military
  		Purple Heart Medal, United States Military
  		Vietnam War (1955-1975)
  		Vietnam
  		101st Airborne Division ("Screaming Eagle"), United States Army
  		101st Airborne Division ("Screaming Eagle"), United States Army
  		Map of Military Installations during the Vietnam War Locate any Fire Base, Landing Zone, or Military Installation during the Vietnam War with this Interactive Google Map of Vietnam.
  Death	29 Nov 1991	Fairfield, Wayne County, Illinois   [1, 2]
  Burial	Maple Hill Cemetery, Fairfield, Wayne County, Illinois   [2, 3]
  		Headstone, Kays, Kenneth M.
  		Headstone, Kays, Kenneth M.
  		Headstone, Kays, Kenneth M.
  Person ID	I48344	Carl Wayne Gray Research
  Last Modified	22 Oct 2023

  
  

  Father	Kays, John Franklin,   b. 5 Mar 1913, Fairfield, Wayne County, Illinois d. 10 Sep 1988, Fairfield, Wayne County, Illinois (Age 75 years)
  Mother	Latham, Ethel M.,   b. 3 Oct 1907, Fairfield, Wayne County, Illinois d. 26 Feb 1981, Fairfield, Wayne County, Illinois (Age 73 years)
  Marriage	Y  [4]
  Family ID	F17684	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Sources

  [S10480] http://www.findagrave.com, Headstone, Anderson, Joe, (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23472108), none. (Reliability: 2). [S14276] Wikipedia, Kenneth Michael Kays, (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Michael_Kays) (Reliability: 2). [S14277] http://www.findagrave.com, Headstone, Kays, Kenneth M., (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7862000/kenneth-michael-kays), none. (Reliability: 2). [S14278] http://www.findagrave.com, Headstone, Kays, John F. and Ethel M., (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88143326/john-franklin-kays), none. (Reliability: 2).