James Joseph Kline
Specialist Four, U.S. Army

James Joseph Kline was born on 22 April 1943, the son of William and Helen Marie O'Toole Kline. He was a 1961 graduate of Cardinal Dougherty High School. Prior to being drafted he was a rookie police officer, having served less than a year.

On 14 May 1968, Specialist Four James Joseph Kline was serving with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light), in South Vietnam.

On that day, SPC4 Kline was an assistant machine gunner during combat operations in enemy territory. He was helping secure the perimeter of Company C's base camp when a large Viet Cong force attacked. Under the cover of darkness and a driving rain, the enemy penetrated the company's defenses and took control of several bunker positions. During the battle that followed, several of the defenders were wounded and stranded in the open. Although wounded, SPC4 Kline left his position to aid his injured comrades. Moving through enemy machine gun and rocket fire, he carried one casualty after another from the battle area to safety. After removing 6 men from the line of fire, he began checking bunkers for other wounded personnel. He discovered that 2 American casualties were trapped in an enemy-held bunker. SPC4 Kline then assaulted the position, killing 2 insurgents and silencing their machine gun. As he continued to advance against the fortification, he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. SPC4 Kline's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class James Joseph Kline (ASN: US-52811137), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion, 3d Infantry, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light). Specialist Four Kline distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 14 May 1968 while serving as an assistant machine gunner during combat operations in enemy territory. He was helping secure the perimeter of his company base camp when a large Viet Cong force attacked. Under the cover of darkness and a driving rain, the enemy was able to penetrate the company's defenses and take control of several bunker positions. During the savage battle that followed, several of the defenders were wounded and stranded in the open. Although wounded himself, Specialist Kline left his position to aid his injured comrades. Moving through withering enemy machine gun and rocket fire, he carried one casualty after another from the battle area to safety. After having removed six men from the line of fire, he began checking bunkers for other wounded personnel. He discovered that two American casualties were trapped in an enemy-held bunker. Disregarding his safety, Specialist Kline courageously assaulted the position, killing two insurgents and silencing their machine gun. As he continued to advance against the fortification, he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Specialist Kline's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3575 (July 24, 1968)

Honors

The name James J Kline is located on Panel 60E Line 13 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Specialist Four James Joseph Kline is buried at Our Lady Of Grace Cemetery in Langhorne, Bucks County, PA, in Section 8, Range 8, Lot 1, Grave 3.