TFH 10/3: Private John Joseph Kelly, USMC

John Joseph Kelly was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 24, 1898. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in April of 1917 and went to fight in World War I in France as a member of the 78th Company (2nd Battalion), 6th Marine Regiment, which was then attached to the United States Army's 2nd Infantry Division.

On October 3, 1918 at the outset of the Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge, Kelly charged far ahead of the front line under both enemy fire and a friendly artillery barrage to attack a machine gun position. His attack was successful, and he also captured eight of the enemy.

At the time, it was permissible for multiple Medals of Honor to be awarded to one individual for the same action. As he was a Marine, serving with an Army division, John Kelly was decorated with both the Army and Navy versions of our Nation's highest honor.


From Medal of Honor Citations for World War I:


KELLY, JOHN JOSEPH (Army Medal)

Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps, 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division. Place and date: At Blanc Mont Ridge, France, 3 October 1918. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Born. 24 June 1898, Chicago, Ill. G.O. No.: 16, W.D., 1919. (Also received Navy Medal of Honor.) 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.


KELLY, JOHN JOSEPH (Navy Medal)

Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps, 78th Company 6th Regiment. Born: 24 June 1898, Chicago, Ill. Accredited to: Illinois. (Also received Army Medal of Honor.) 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.

He was also a four-time recipient of the Silver Star for his World War I valor.

Private Kelly was discharged from the Marine Corps in August 1919. He passed away in his native Chicago at age 59 on November 20, 1957 and rests in peace at the All Saints Catholic Cemetery, Des Plains, Illinois.

The 6th Marine Regiment is today part of the 2nd Marine Division and is stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. 2nd Battalion/6th Marines is currently deployed to Afghanistan as part of Regimental Combat Team 5.

The Army's 2nd Infantry Division has its elements in South Korea and at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state.