Private First Class Kuhlman distinguished himself by heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force on 18 February 1968 while serving with Battery D (Machine Gun) 71st Artillery, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, while serving as the Squad Leader of a truck mounted M55 Quad .50 caliber machine gun squad on a combat operation in the Republic of Vietnam on 18 February 1968, Private First Class Kuhlman led his understrength squad into the village of Phouc Binh in support of an infantry operation. Almost immediately after entering the village, Private Kuhlman's vehicle and the vehicle that accompanied it came under intense small arms and automatic weapons fire. After quickly suppressing the first attack, the quads moved forward only to be raked with enemy fire again. During this second attack, the senior squad leader was wounded, leaving Private Kuhlman in charge of both vehicles. He immediately attempted to position his guns for firing, but both machine guns were disabled by the intense enemy fire which wounded all but one crewman. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Private Kuhlman exposed himself to the deadly hail of bullets as he extracted his wounded comrades and taking the initiative once again, he called for artillery to knock out the abandoned M55s to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. Private First Class Kuhlman's heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.