Francis Kelly (Medal of Honor)

Infobox Military Person
name=Francis Kelly
born= birth date|1860|7|5
died= death date and age|1938|5|19|1860|7|5
placeofbirth=Boston, Massachusetts
placeofdeath=Glasgow, Scotland
placeofburial=


caption=Watertender Francis Kelly
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch= United States Navy
serviceyears=
rank=Chief Machinist's Mate
commands=
unit=USS "Merrimac"
battles= Spanish-American War
awards=Medal of Honor
laterwork=

Francis Kelly (5 July 1860 – 19 May 1938) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in the Spanish-American War.

Biography

Francis Kelly enlisted in the US Navy from his birth state, Massachusetts, and served as a Watertender in the collier "Merrimac" during the Spanish-American War. Kelly was one of eight volunteer crew members when Rear Admiral William T. Sampson ordered "Merrimac" sunk to block the entrance of Santiago Harbor, Cuba. On the night of 2-3 June 1898, during the attempt to execute this mission, "Merrimac"'s steering gear was disabled by enemy gunfire, and she sank without obstructing navigation. Her crewmen were rescued by the Spanish and made prisoners-of-war. After the Battle of Santiago de Cuba destroyed the Spanish fleet a month later, Kelly and his shipmates were released. For his actions during this operation, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Francis Kelly remained in the Navy after the Spanish-American War, ultimately obtaining the rank of Chief Machinist's Mate. He is buried at Sandymount Cemetery, Glasgow, Scotland.

Medal of Honor citation

Watertender Kelly's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

In connection with the sinking of the U.S.S. "Merrimac" at the entrance to the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, 2 June 1898. Despite heavy fire from the Spanish batteries, KELLY displayed extraordinary heroism throughout this operation.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Spanish-American War

References

:NHC

*cite web
publisher = Naval Historical Center
title = US People - Kelly, Francis
work = Online Library
date = 2006-05-03
url = http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-k/f-kelly.htm
accessdate = 2006-10-02

Persondata
NAME= Kelly, Francis
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=