Shin Woo Kim
Sergeant, U.S. Army

On 28 June 2007, Sergeant Shin Woo Kim was serving as a Medical Aidman with the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On that day, a platoon was struck by a deep buried IED and ambushed in the aftermath. Casualties were being pulled into a courtyard where SGT Kim, the medic, was doing his damnedest to save these outstanding men. As SGT Kim worked the insurgents started lobbing grenades into the courtyard from other rooftops. One grenade landed just feet from SGT Kim as he worked on the platoon sergeant. SGT Kim threw himself between the grenade and the platoon sergeant and absorbed all of the blast. SGT Kim's self-sacrifice saved the platoon sergeant's life. SGT Kim’s selfless, courageous action that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Combat Medical Badge

Silver Star Medal Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Shin Woo Kim, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy while serving as a Medical Aidman with the 2d Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 28 June 2007. On that date, a platoon was struck by a deep buried IED and ambushed in the aftermath. Casualties were being pulled into a courtyard where Kim the medic was doing his damnedest to save these outstanding men. As he worked the insurgents started lobbing grenades into the courtyard from other rooftops. One grenade landed just feet from Kim as he worked on the platoon sergeant. Kim laid between himself and the platoon sergeant taking every bit of the blast and saving the platoon sergeant. Shin Kim's gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, at the cost of his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 2d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Burial

Sergeant Shin Woo Kim is buried at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, Los Angeles County, CA, in Gateway Terrace Lawn, Section 8, Lot 2645, Space 1.