Petty Officer First Class Jonathan Kim

Jonathan heard his calling to serve in his senior year of high school on September 11, 2001. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and began the arduous training program to become a Navy SEAL, specializing to become a combat medic.

August 2, 2006 is a day he will remember forever. Charlie 16, his teammate and friend, was shot through the eye. Jonathan set aside his emotional reaction and relied on the training he received as a Special Operations medic. He accompanied Charlie 16 to the surgical center, but felt limited in his abilities. He wanted to do more.
Jonathan witnessed firsthand the devotion of the doctors who saved his teammate’s life. Inspired by their tenacity and extraordinary skills, it was then he realized he wanted to dedicate his life to medicine. He served two deployments as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and earned both a Silver Star and a Bronze Star with Valor.

He credits his experiences in Iraq for teaching him compassion. Jonathan says he learned that compassion for humanity is what distinguishes America from her enemies. He says compassion is what drives him to respect human life and uphold the Hippocratic Oath.

Upon earning his medical degree, Jonathan plans to continue serving in the United States Navy as a physician and become a medical researcher. It is service through medicine where he hopes his future contributions will one day help save lives.