Elbert L . Kinser Sergeant Elbert Luther Kinser ( October 21 , 1922 - May 4 , 1945 ) was a United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions and sacrifice of his life on Okinawa during World War II . The Medal of Honor was presented to Sgt Kinser ' s parents by MajGen Clifton B . Cates ( future Commandant of the Marine Corps ) on July 4 , 1946 in Greeneville , Tennessee . Early years . Elbert Kinser was born in Greeneville , Tennessee on October 21 , 1922 . He worked on his father ' s farm prior to joining the Marine Corps . Marine Corps service . Kinser enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in December 1942 and received his recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island , South Carolina . He sailed from the United States in March 1943 , and joined the 7th Replacement Battalion in Pago Pago , Tutuila , American Samoa . Later , that battalion joined the 1st Marine Division in Melbourne , Australia , and Sgt Kinser was assigned to Company I , 1st Marines . Action with the 1st Marines followed at Cape Gloucester , New Britain , and later at Peleliu , Palau Islands . On Easter Sunday , April 1 , 1945 , Sgt Kinser landed with his unit at Okinawa . Sergeant Kinser won the nation ' s highest military decoration while acting as a leader of a rifle platoon , serving with Company I , 3rd Battalion , 1st Marines , 1st Marine Division , in action on Okinawa , where he was subsequently killed in action on May 4 , 1945 . During a fierce hand grenade battle , a Japanese grenade landed in the immediate vicinity , Sgt Kinser unhesitatingly threw himself on the deadly missile , absorbing the full charge of the shattering explosion in his own body and thereby protecting his men from serious injury and possible death . Sergeant Kinser was buried in the 1st Marine Division Cemetery on Okinawa and his remains were returned to the United States in early 1949 for burial . His final resting place is the Solomon Lutheran Cemetery in Greeneville , Tennessee . Camp Kinser , a Marine Corps installation at Urasoe , Okinawa , Japan , was named in honor of Sergeant Elbert L . Kinser . Decorations . In addition to the Medal of Honor , Sgt Kinser was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart ; Presidential Unit Citation ; Asiatic - Pacific Campaign Medal ; and the World War II Victory Medal . Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to SERGEANT ELBERT L . KINSER UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE for service as set forth in the following CITATION : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while acting as Leader of a Rifle Platoon , serving with Company I , Third Battalion , First Marines , First Marine Division , in action against Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryūkyū Chain , May 4 , 1945 . Taken under sudden , close attack by hostile troops entrenched on the reverse slope while moving up a strategic ridge along which his platoon was holding newly won positions , Sergeant Kinser engaged the enemy in a fierce hand grenade battle . Quick to act when a Japanese grenade landed in the immediate vicinity , Sergeant Kinser unhesitatingly threw himself on the deadly missile , absorbing the full charge of the shattering explosion in his own body and thereby protecting his men from serious injury and possible death . Stouthearted and indomitable , he had yielded his own chance of survival that his comrades might live to carry on the relentless battle against a fanatic enemy . His courage , cool decision and valiant spirit of self - sacrifice in the face of certain death sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service . He gallantly gave his life for his country . / S / HARRY S . TRUMAN