Private John Joseph Kelly

Private John Joseph Kelly was born on June 24, 1898, in Chicago Illinois. At 18 years old, He enlisted in the US Marine Corps on May 15, 1917. On January 19, 1918, his regiment embarked from Philadelphia Pennsylvania, on the USS Henderson, and arrived at St. Nazaire France, on February 5, 1918. Kelly fought in Chateau Thierry St. Mihiel, Blanc Mont, and the Meuse-Argonne during World War I. On October 3, 1918, At Blanc Mont Ridge, Private Kelly ran through our own barrage a hundred yards in advance of the front line, and attacked an enemy machine-gun nest, killing the gunner with a grenade, shooting another member of the crew with his pistol, and returning through the barrage with eight rescued prisoners of war. Kelly also participated in the march to the Rhine River and in the occupation of the Coblenz Bridgehead, from November 17 to December 12, 1918. On March 17, 1919, while he was still a teenager, Kelly was awarded Two separate Medals of Honor from both the Army and the Navy. General John J. Pershing personally draped the medal around his neck.Private Kelly was honored with several prestigious awards for his exceptional service and bravery. In recognition of his outstanding achievements, he was awarded: Medal of Honor from the Army, Medal of Honor from the Navy, Silver Star with four bronze oak leaf clusters, Purple Heart with one bronze oak leaf cluster, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, World War I Victory Medal with five bronze battle stars, Médaille militaire from the French Republic, Croix de Guerre from 1914 to 1918 with one bronze palm and one bronze star from the French Republic, Croce al Merito di Guerra from Italy, Silver Medal for Bravery from Kingdom of Montenegro, Unit Award And The French Fourragère. On August 14, 1919, Private Kelly was honorably discharged from the Army with excellent character. On November 20, 1957, Private Kelly passed away in Fort Lauderdale Florida, at the age of 59. Private Kelly was laid to rest in his hometown at the All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines Illinois. #distinguished #America #USA #military #armedforces #war #hero #army #navy #marines #sacrifice #medalofhonor #PurpleHeart #WW1