John D. Kelly

Infobox Military Person
name= John Doran Kelly
born= birth date|1928|7|8
died= death date and age|1952|5|28|1928|7|8
placeofbirth= Youngstown, Ohio
placeofdeath= Killed in action in Korea
placeofburial=


caption= John D. Kelly, posthumous Medal of Honor recipient
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch= United States Marine Corps
serviceyears= 1951-1952
rank= Private First Class
commands=
unit= 1st Battalion, 7th Marines
battles= Korean War
awards= Medal of Honor Purple Heart
laterwork=Private First Class John Doran Kelly (July 8, 1928 – May 28, 1952) was a United States Marine, who gave up college to enlist in the Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict, and was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic action on May 28, 1952 against the Communist aggressor forces in Korea during which he was mortally wounded.

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 enlisted 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.

Private First Class Kelly served as a radio operator with Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, before meeting his untimely death.

PFC John Doran Kelly is buried at Jefferson Memorial Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. [cite web|title=Grave site of MOH Recipient John D. Kelly |url = http://www.homeofheroes.com/gravesites/abmc/kelly_john_d.html|publisher=Home of Heroes.com|accessdate=2006-06-15 ]

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

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Korean War Medal of Honor recipients

Notes

References

:Marine Corps
* [http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/hd/Historical/Whos_Who/Kelly_JD.htm Private First Class John Doren Kelly, USMC] , "Who's Who in Marine Corps History", History Division, United States Marine Corps.
* [http://www.usmc.mil/moh.nsf/000003c919889c0385255f980058f5b6/0000033ba9f47a7385255fa400480bce?OpenDocument PFC John D. Kelly, Medal of Honor, 1952, 1/7/1, Korea,] Medal of Honor citation. Retrieved on 2006-06-15.

Persondata
NAME= Kelly, John Doren
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=