31 July 2011

Medal of Honor: J. J. Kelly

JOHN JOSEPH KELLY

Private, US Marine Corps; 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2nd Marine Division

Born: 24 June 1898, Chicago, Illinois
Died: 20 November 1957, Chicago, Illinois

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division, in action with the enemy at Blanc Mont Ridge, France, 3 October 1918. Pvt. Kelly ran through our own barrage a hundred yards in advance of the front line and attacked an enemy machinegun nest, killing the gunner with a grenade, shooting another member of the crew with his pistol, and returning through the barrage with 8 prisoners.


Citation: Pvt. Kelly ran through our own barrage 100 yards in advance of the front line and attacked an enemy machinegun nest, killing the gunner with a grenade, shooting another member of the crew with his pistol, and returning through the barrage with 8 prisoners.


Note: Kelly was one of five Marines who received both Navy and Army medals for the same action. (Two of these double awards were for this battle in October, 1918; one had been awarded in June, 1918, and the other two were awarded for a battle in July of that year.)

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