John J. Kelly
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- For other persons named John Kelly, see John Kelly (disambiguation).
| John Joseph Kelly | |
|---|---|
| June 24, 1898 - November 20, 1957 | |
  Recipient of the Army and Navy Medals of Honor |
|
| Place of birth | Chicago, Illinois |
| Place of death | Chicago, Illinois |
| Allegiance | USMC |
| Years of service | 1917-1919 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | 6th Regiment, 2nd Division |
| Battles/wars | World War I Battle of Chateau Thierry Battle of Saint-Mihiel |
| Awards | Medal of Honor (Army & Navy) Medaille Militaire Croix de Guerre |
John Joseph Kelly (June 24, 1898-November 20, 1957) was a United States Marine who was awarded both the Army and Navy Medals of Honor for his heroic actions on October 13, 1918 at Blanc Mont Ridge, France during World War I.
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[edit] Biography
Kelly was born in Chicago, Illinois on 24 June 1898. He enlisted as a private in the United States Marine Corps on 15 May 1917 in Port Royal, South Carolina. On 5 September 1917, he joined the 7th Company, 6th Regiment, at Quantico, Virginia, and on 12 September 1917, he was transferred to the 78th Company. On 19 January 1918, his regiment embarked from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on the USS Henderson] and arrived at St. Nazaire, France on 5 February 1918.
Private Kelly participated in engagements at Chateau Thierry, St. Mihiel, Blanc Mont and the Meuse-Argonne offensive. In the desperate fighting at Blanc Mont Ridge he ran "100 yards in advance of the front line and attacked an enemy machine-gun nest," for which he was awarded both the Army and Navy Medals of Honor.
He also participated in the march to the Rhine River and in the occupation of the Coblenz Bridgehead, from 17 November to 12 December 1918. Pvt Kelly was honorably discharged, with character "Excellent" at the Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia on 14 August 1919.
The circumstances of Pvt Kelly's Medal of Honor decoration were unique. It was pinned on his chest by General John J. Pershing, Commander-in-Chief, American Expeditionary Force, while Pvt Kelly was with the Army of Occupation. With him in line, waiting for other decorations were U.S. Army Major Generals Dickman, Muir, Haan and Hines. His foreign decorations include the French Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star; French Croix de Guerre with Palm; Montenegrin Silver Medal for bravery; the French Medaille Militaire; and the Italian Croce al Merito di Guerra.
At the time of his death on 20 November 1957, his address was listed as Chicago, Illinois.
[edit] Medal of Honor citation
[edit] Army citation
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps, 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division.
Place and date: At Blanc Mont Ridge, France, 3 October 1918.
Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Born. 24 June 1898, Chicago, Ill. G.O. No.: 16, W.D., 1919.
Kelly, John Joseph
Private, 78th Company
G.O. War Department No. 16, page 7, 1919
- Private Kelly ran through our barrage 100 yards in advance of the front line and attacked an enemy machine- gun nest, killing the gunner with a grenade, shooting another member of the crew with his pistol, and returning through the barrage with eight prisoners.
[edit] Navy citation
Kelly, John Joseph
Private, U.S. Marine Corps
78th Company, 6th Regiment
- For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy at BLANC MONT RIDGE, France, October 3, 1918. Private Kelly ran through our own barrage one hundred yards in advance of the front line and attacked an enemy machine-gun nest, killing the gunner with a grenade, shooting another member of the crew with his pistol and returned through the barrage with eight prisoners.
[edit] References
- This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.
- Private John Joseph Kelly, USMC, Who's Who in Marine Corps History, History Division, United States Marine Corps.
- Navy Medal of Honor citation
- Army Medal of Honor citation
