The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Alan J. Kinnell, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy as Medical Chief, Battalion Aid station, Headquarters and Service Company, Third Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, FIRST Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 21 March 2003. During the Battalion’s attack on Zubayr, Iraq, Master Chief Petty Officer Kinnell exhibited bravery and valor when the Battalion’s logistics train unknowingly moved into a minefield. During movement, a Marine detonated a mine that severely wounded himself and two other Marines. Master Chief Petty Officer Kinnell directed his corpsman to immediately prepare triage. One of Master Chief Petty Officer Kinnell’s corpsmen set off another mine causing Master Chief Petty Officer Kinnell to become a casualty. Without regard to his shrapnel wounds, Master Chief Petty Officer Kinnell quickly took control of the situation. He ordered everyone to cease movement in the minefield. With limited use of one hand, he successfully triaged the wounded. For the next two hours, he supervised the care and casualty evacuation of all wounded personnel out of the minefield to the medical evacuation helicopter. After administering to others, he tended his own wounds., refusing to be evacuated so he could rejoin the Battalion attack. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Master Chief Petty Officer Kinnell reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.