Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private 1st Class

Unit:

Company I, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division "Santa Fe", U.S. Army

Private First Class Joe M. Kelley, 38570295, Infantry, United States Army, for gallantry in action in the vicinity of *** , Germany on 27 March 1945. When the support platoon of Company I, 134th Infantry, and the mortar section, were pinned down by heavy enemy fire during the course of an attack against strongpoints guarding the approaches to *** , Germany, Private Kelley, a rifleman, covered by fire of two comrades, made his way toward an enemy strongpoint from which enemy fire was being directed, threw several grenades, then charged the enemy position. With the assistance of his two companions, he succeeded in reducing the enemy strongpoint, wounding two Germans and capturing three others. His courageous actions enabled his unit to continue its attack toward the final objective.
Entered military service from Arizona.

Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 28 (24 April 1945).