WINNER OF THE NAVY CROSS

 

Vance E. Kee

Hospital Corpsman Third Class, U.S. Navy
Corpsman (Attached), 1st Marine Division (Reinforced)
Date of Action: June 19, 1951

Citation:

The Navy Cross is presented to Vance E. Kee, Hospital Corpsman Third Class, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy while serving with a Marine infantry company with the 1st Marine Division (Reinforced), near Yang Gu, Korea, on 19 June 1951. Hospitalman Third Class Kee, serving as a Corpsman, moved through a mine field while subjected to intense enemy fire to administer first aid to a wounded Marine. He then summoned a stretcher party to evacuate the casualty and while en route, one of the litter bearers stepped on an enemy mine. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, after hearing the ignition of the primer, he threw himself across the body of the wounded Marine. Although blown several feet and severely dazed by the resulting blast, he rushed to the aid of the second wounded man. After assuring himself that both men were adequately cared for, he probed with his feet until he found a safe passage through the mine field. He then led two stretcher parties into the mine field to evacuate the wounded, thereby enabling them to receive complete medical treatment much sooner than otherwise would have been possible. His display of initiative and skill served as an inspiration to all who observed him and contributed materially to the success achieved by the company. Hospitalman Third Class Kee's courageous actions and outstanding devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

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