Episode 2906 – Tribute to Vietnam MoH recipient Army PFC Kenneth Michael Kays – A Saint

Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient Army PFC Kenneth Michael Kays.

Congressional Medal of Honor

Episode 2906 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature Medal of Honor recipient Army PFC Kenneth Michael Kays. Information featured in this episode comes from Wikipedia.

In the dense jungles of Vietnam on May 7, 1970, Army Private First Class Kenneth Michael Kays, a young soldier from Illinois, showed extraordinary bravery. Kays, then only 20, was part of the 101st Airborne Division, known as the “Screaming Eagles.” On this fateful day, his platoon was in a defensive position near FSB Maureen, a dangerous area near the A Shau Valley. Suddenly, they came under heavy fire from North Vietnamese forces, and the air was thick with bullets and explosions.

As chaos erupted around him, Kays watched in horror as his fellow soldiers were wounded, their cries echoing through the jungle. Despite the fear coursing through him, he sprang into action, tending to the wounded. Moments later, a nearby explosion tore through the ground, severely injuring Kays, who lost part of his leg in the blast.

With determination that defied logic, Kays fashioned a makeshift tourniquet on his leg, refused medical evacuation, and crawled through the combat zone. Under heavy enemy fire, he reached his injured comrades one by one, administering aid and pulling them to safety. His courage and sacrifice allowed the unit to evacuate the wounded, saving multiple lives that day.

For his remarkable valor and selflessness, Kays was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration. Though his body bore the scars of war, Kays’ spirit embodied a heroism that remains a lasting legacy of sacrifice and resilience.

Listen to Episode 2906 and discover more about Medal of Honor recipient Army PFC Kenneth Michael Kays.