The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private Harold G. Kiner, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company F, 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division. With four other men, Private Kiner was leading in a frontal assault 2 October 1944, on a Siegfried Line pillbox near Palenberg, Germany. Machinegun fire from the strongly defended enemy position 25 yards away pinned down the attackers. The Germans threw hand grenades, one of which dropped between Private Kiner and two other men. With no hesitation, Private Kiner hurled himself upon the grenade, smothering the explosion. By his gallant action and voluntary sacrifice of his own life, he saved his two comrades from serious injury or death.