The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) Gerard William Kelley, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Commanding Officer of the , 165th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations in 1943. Soon after the landing of his Infantry Regiment on an island in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, the Regimental Commander was killed. Colonel Kelley, then a battalion commander, assumed command of the regiment. He pressed the attack forward, visiting all points of the front where the advance was momentarily held up. Throughout the next three days he was constantly in evidence where the fighting was heaviest, exposing himself to enemy fire and directing the action. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Kelley, 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.