Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

459th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, 29th Infantry Division "Blue and Gray", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1945

"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 459th Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, at Normandy, France. On that date, upon landing at Omaha Beach, France, Sergeant Kelly saw an enemy machine gun firing into troops that were trying to get ashore. Heedless of intervening mine fields, he quickly organized a party to lead against the enemy emplacement. Despite a serious hand wound he had received, and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, he advanced ahead of the attacking party and hurled a hand grenade into the enemy post, killing the entire crew. When enemy snipers directed fire against engineers who were clearing the mine fields, Sergeant Kelly voluntarily and courageously led an assault which cleared the snipers from the sector. Through his inspiring example and at the risk of his own safety, he played a large part in establishing the beachhead. The extraordinary heroism and courageous acts of Sergeant Kelley reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."

Headquarters, Ninth U.S. Army, General Orders No. 5 (1945).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)