SPECIALIST FIVE, DONALD K. KIMURA, Unied States Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 22d Infantry, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. For extraordinary heroism involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Five Kimura distinguished himself while serving as senior medical advisor during a company search and clear mission on the northeatern slope of Nui Ba Den Mountain. While conducting a sweep through various mountainside caves, Specialist Kimura’s unit engaged an estimated battalion size enemy force. During this initial encounter, Specialist Kimura braved enemy sniper fire several times as he maneuvered long distances to administer aid and to direct the wounded to cover. Still under enemy fire, Specialist Kimura returned to the base of the mountain and personally carried several casualties to evacuation helicopters. Later in the afternoon, as the entire company was moving to the base of the mountain, the enemy renewed their attack and caused several more casualties. Specialist Kimura crawled over sixty meters through the enemy fire to aid his wounded comrades. Upon arrival of an extraction helicopter, Specialist Kimura lifted a wounded man over his shoulder and moved toward the landing zone. As he approached the helicopter, enemy automatic weapons fire wounded the injured man and caused both of them to fall to the ground. Signaling the helicopter to leave, Specialist Kimura administered aid to his critically wounded comrade in this position for thirty minutes until he could be evacuated. During the entire action, Specialist Kimura treated twenty-five casualties and was credited with saving two lives. Specialist Five Kimura’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Mr. Kimura resides in California.