World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He was in the United States Army and served as a Staff Sergeant in Company E, 311th Infantry, 78th Infantry Division. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on January 30 and 31, 1945 at Kesternich, Germany. He was killed in action. His citation reads in part "At dawn the next day, the squad resumed the attack, advancing to a point where heavy automatic and small-arms fire stalled them. Despite his wounds, S/Sgt. Kelley moved out alone, located an enemy gunner dug in under a haystack, and killed him with rifle fire. He returned to his men and found that a German machine gun, from a well-protected position in a neighboring house, still held up the advance. Ordering the squad to remain in comparatively safe positions, he valiantly dashed into the open and attacked the positions singlehandedly through a hail of bullets. He was hit several times and fell to his knees when within 25 yards of his objective; but he summoned his waning strength and emptied his rifle into the machine-gun nest, silencing the weapon before he died. The superb courage, aggressiveness, and utter disregard for his own safety displayed by S/Sgt. Kelley inspired the men he led and enambled them to penetrate the last line of defense held by the enemy in the village of Kesternich."
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He was in the United States Army and served as a Staff Sergeant in Company E, 311th Infantry, 78th Infantry Division. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on January 30 and 31, 1945 at Kesternich, Germany. He was killed in action. His citation reads in part "At dawn the next day, the squad resumed the attack, advancing to a point where heavy automatic and small-arms fire stalled them. Despite his wounds, S/Sgt. Kelley moved out alone, located an enemy gunner dug in under a haystack, and killed him with rifle fire. He returned to his men and found that a German machine gun, from a well-protected position in a neighboring house, still held up the advance. Ordering the squad to remain in comparatively safe positions, he valiantly dashed into the open and attacked the positions singlehandedly through a hail of bullets. He was hit several times and fell to his knees when within 25 yards of his objective; but he summoned his waning strength and emptied his rifle into the machine-gun nest, silencing the weapon before he died. The superb courage, aggressiveness, and utter disregard for his own safety displayed by S/Sgt. Kelley inspired the men he led and enambled them to penetrate the last line of defense held by the enemy in the village of Kesternich."
Bio by: Don Morfe
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MEDAL OF HONOR
SSGT US ARMY
WORLD WAR II
Family Members
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