Rodney P. Kelly is a retired Major General in the United States Air Force who served as assistant deputy chief of staff for plans and programs for the United States Air Force in Washington, D.C. From his office at The Pentagon, he was responsible for planning and programming, and for manpower activities within the corporate Air Force until his retirement in 2001.
A native of southern Illinois, Kelly was commissioned lieutenant after completing the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1967 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. He is a command and combat pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours. Before assuming his current position, he directed operations at the headquarters of U.S. Space Command. Kelly has received several awards and decorations for his outstanding service to the United States. These honors include: the Defense Superior Service Medal; the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster; Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters; Air Medal; and the Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster.
He was named an "Outstanding Illinoisan" by the Illinois State Society in Washington D.C. at its 2001 Inaugural Gala.