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US Navy - Guided Missile Destroyer DDG 134 - USS John E. Kilmer |
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| 07/24 | ||
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Type,
class: Guided Missile Destroyer - DDG; Arleigh Burke
class, Flight III Builder: General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, USA STATUS: Awarded: September 27, 2018 Laid down: Launched: Christened: Commissioned: I Homeport: - Namesake: Hospitalman John Edward Kilmer (1930-1952) Ships Motto: Technical Data: see: INFO > Arleigh Burke class Guided Missile Destroyer - DDG |
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USS John E. Kilmer (DDG 134): |
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Hospitalman John Edward Kilmer
(August 15, 1930 - August 13, 1952): John Edward “Jackie” Kilmer was born in Highland Park, Illinois, on 15 August 1930. He quit high school at age 17 to join the U. S. Navy on 16 August 1947. He enlisted as an apprentice seaman at the Navy Recruiting Station, Houston, Texas, and trained at Naval Hospital Corps School, San Diego, California. After graduation in April 1948, he advanced in rate to hospital apprentice, then to hospitalman on 1 September 1950. Hospitalman Kilmer was assigned to the hospital ship USS Repose when war broke out in Korea. On board ship, he had gained a good deal of experience and decided the Navy afforded him wide opportunities in medicine so, when his contract expired in August 1951, HN Kilmer reenlisted. He received further training at the Marine Barracks, Camp Pendleton, California, in April 1952 and, upon graduating in June, he joined the 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force Pacific. On 12-13 August 1952, HN Kilmer took part in the attack on “Bunker Hill” in Korea. During battle, HN Kilmer repeatedly braved enemy fire to reach wounded Marines and render aid, carrying many to safety. He defied warnings of danger and started crawling towards a seriously wounded Marine who was lying in the open field. Mortar fragments struck HN Kilmer, but he continued crawling until he reached the wounded man. As the attack intensified, HN Kilmer unhesitatingly shielded his patient with his own body. HN Kilmer was mortally wounded by flying shrapnel, but saved the Marine’s life. For his exceptional fortitude, determined efforts, and unyielding devotion to duty, HN Kilmer was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, which was presented to his mother by Secretary of the Navy Robert B. Anderson on 18 June 1953. Hospitalman Kilmer was laid to rest in San Jose Burial Park, San Antonio, Texas. Medal of Honor citation of Hospitalman John E. Kilmer: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a medical corpsman while serving with a Marine rifle company in the 1st Marine Division in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 13 August 1952. With his company engaged in defending a vitally important hill position well forward of the main line of resistance during an assault by large concentrations of hostile troops, Kilmer repeatedly braved intense enemy mortar, artillery, and sniper fire to move from one position to another, administering aid to the wounded and expediting their evacuation. Painfully wounded himself when struck by mortar fragments while moving to the aid of a casualty, he persisted in his efforts and inched his way to the side of the stricken Marine through a hail of enemy shells falling around him. Undaunted by the devastating hostile fire, he skillfully administered first aid to his comrade and, as another mounting barrage of enemy fire shattered the immediate area, unhesitatingly shielded the wounded man with his own body. Mortally wounded by flying shrapnel while carrying out this heroic action, Kilmer, by his great personal valor and gallant spirit of self-sacrifice in saving the life of a comrade, served to inspire all who observed him. His unyielding devotion to duty in the face of heavy odds reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances the finest traditions of the United States naval service. He gallantly gave his life for another." Awards and decorations: Combat Action Ribbon (Navy) Korean Service Medal Medal of Honor (Navy) National Defense Service Medal Navy Unit Commendation Purple Heart Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Korea War Service Medal United Nations Service Medal
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