The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colone (Field Artillery) Thomas Payne Kelly, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 589th Field Artillery Battalion, 106th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Germany, on 16 December 1944. When the Germans began their mighty counter-offensive in the Ardennes, the 589th Field Artillery Battalion sustained the initial impact of the German thrust, but Lieutenant Colonel Kelly so effectively supervised the utilization of his howitzers and supporting weapons that the vicious enemy tank and infantry assaults were repulsed with heavy losses to the enemy. This holding action by the 589th Field Artillery Battalion permitted other division units to take up more advantageous positions. Finally, when his own battalion was forced to displace to an alternate position, all but the foremost battery was able to withdraw. Under severe enemy artillery and small arms fire, Lieutenant Colonel Kelly was last seen voluntarily returning to his foremost battery, in an attempt to extricate the battery from its extremely precarious position, which was rapidly being encircled by outflanking and infiltrating enemy infantry. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colone Kelly, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.