Career
Denied status as a conscientious objector, Kays fled to Canada to avoid getting drafted for military service in Vietnam until the United States Army guaranteed he would be able to serve as a medic. Kays joined the Army from Fairfield, Illinois, and by May 7, 1970 was serving as a private in the Headquarters Company of 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. During a firefight on that day, in Thừa Thiên–Huế Province, Republic of Vietnam, Kays repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire in order to treat wounded soldiers, even after losing his lower left leg to an explosion.
He was subsequently promoted to private first class and awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.
Kays left the Army while still a private first class. His later life was very tragic.
He spent time in mental hospitals and struggled with addiction. He took his own life at age 42 and was buried in Maple Hill Cemetery, Fairfield, Illinois.