Alexander Kelly

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Alexander Kelly
April 7, 1840June 19, 1907
First Sergeant Alexander Kelly
First Sergeant Alexander Kelly
Place of birth Pennsylvania
Allegiance United States Army
Rank First Sergeant
Unit 6th United States Colored Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars American Civil War
* Battle of Chaffin's Farm
Awards Medal of Honor

Alexander Kelly (April 7, 1840June 19, 1907) was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions at the Battle of Chaffin's Farm.

By September 29, 1864, Kelly was serving as a First Sergeant in Company F of the 6th U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment. On that day, his unit participated in the Battle of Chaffin's Farm in Virginia, and it was for his actions during the battle that he was awarded the Medal of Honor six months later, on April 6, 1865.

First Sergeant Kelly's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

Gallantly seized the colors, which had fallen near the enemy's lines of abatis, raised them and rallied the men at a time of confusion and in a place of the greatest danger.

Alexander Kelly died at age 67 and was buried in Saint Peters Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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