John D. Kelly (Korean War soldier)

John Doran Kelly
 A light blue neck ribbon with a gold star shaped medallion hanging from it. The ribbon is similar in shape to a bowtie with 13 white stars in the center of the ribbon.
John D. Kelly, posthumous Medal of Honor recipient
Born (1928-07-08)July 8, 1928
Youngstown, Ohio
Died May 28, 1952(1952-05-28) (aged 23)
Killed in action in Korea
Place of burial Jefferson Memorial Cemetery
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service 1951-1952
Rank Private First Class
Unit C Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Battles/wars Korean War
Awards Medal of Honor
Purple Heart Medal
Combat Action Ribbon

Private First Class John Doran Kelly (July 8, 1928 – May 28, 1952) was a United States Marine Corps private first class who received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic actions above and beyond the call of duty on May 28, 1952 against Chinese Communist forces in Korea during the Korean War. Kelly was mortally wounded while charging his third enemy machine gun bunker.

Biography

John Doran Kelly was born July 8, 1928, in Youngstown, Ohio. Soon afterwards his family moved to Homestead, Pennsylvania, where he attended grade school and high school. He graduated from high school in 1947, and was attending Arizona State College, prior to entering the United States Marine Corps.

He gave up college during the Korean War, enlisting in the Marine Corps in August 1951, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Following his initial training at Parris Island, South Carolina, he was transferred to Camp Pendleton for further training prior to joining the 1st Marine Division in Korea.

Kelly was serving in Korea as a radio operator with Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. On May 28, 1952, seeing his rifle platoon under the command of Second Lieutenant Howard L. Siers[1] was pinned down by heavy enemy fire, he left his radio to another Marine to attack key enemy positions, destroying two in the process. While he was attempting to destroy another enemy machine gun bunker, he was killed in action.

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Kelly was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. He was/is also entitled to the Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with one ​3⁄16" bronze star, United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean War Service Medal.

Kelly is buried at Jefferson Memorial Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[2][3] His grave can be found in section 20, lot 319.

Military awards

Kelly's military decorations and awards include:

A light blue ribbon with five white five pointed stars
Bronze star
Medal of Honor
Purple Heart Medal Korean Service Medal with one ​3⁄16" bronze star United Nations Service Medal

Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JOHN D. KELLY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Radio Operator of Company C, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 28 May 1952. With his platoon pinned down by a numerically superior enemy force employing intense mortar, artillery, small-arms and grenade fire, Private First Class Kelly requested permission to leave his radio in the care of another man and to participate in an assault on enemy key positions. Fearlessly charging forward in the face of a murderous hail of machine-gun fire and hand grenades, he initiated a daring attack against a hostile strongpoint and personally neutralized the position, killing two of the enemy. Unyielding in the face of heavy odds, he continued forward and singlehandedly assaulted a machine-gun bunker. Although painfully wounded, he bravely charged the bunker and destroyed it, killing three of the enemy. Courageously continuing his one-man assault, he again stormed forward in a valiant attempt to wipe out a third bunker and boldly delivered point-blank fire into the aperture of the hostile emplacement. Mortally wounded by enemy fire while carrying out his heroic action, Private First Class Kelly, by his great personal valor and aggressive fighting spirit, inspired his comrades to sweep on, overrun and secure the objective. His extraordinary heroism in the face of almost certain death reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

/S/ DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER

See also

References

Inline
  1. ↑ Korean War Educator, Howard l. Siers, Silver Star
  2. ↑ "Grave site of MOH Recipient John D. Kelly". Home of Heroes.com. Retrieved 2006-06-15.
  3. ↑ Find A Grave
General
 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
  • "John D. Kelly". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
  • "Private First Class John Doren Kelly, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved November 27, 2008.
  • "PFC John D. Kelly, Medal of Honor, 1952, 1/7/1, Korea, Medal of Honor citation". Archived from the original on June 13, 2006. Retrieved June 15, 2006.
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