Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Joe
William
Kelly
January 19, 1910

–

July 8, 1979

Born:

Waverly

, 

Indiana

Home:

Martinsville

, 

Indiana

Buried: 

Pensacola

, 

Florida

Cemetery:

Barrancas National Cemetery

Joe Kelly graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1932. After serving in the Army Air Forces in World War II, he transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. He retired in 1964 as a U.S. Air Force 4-Star General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    386th Bombardment Group

    Action Date:

    World War II
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Joe William Kelly (AFSN: 612A), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commanding Officer, 386th Bombardment Group, during World War II. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General
    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. 28 (May 21, 1958)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to Major General Joe William Kelly (AFSN: 612A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Kelly and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    1948 – 1952
    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. 8 (March 12, 1952)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Medal (Air Force) to Brigadier General Joe William Kelly (AFSN: 612A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility Commanding Bomber Unites of the Strategic Air Command including the Far East Air Forces Bomber Command at Yokota Air Base, Japan, from 1948 to 1952. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Brigadier General Kelly and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1960 – 1964
    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. GB182 (1964)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to General Joe William Kelly (AFSN: 612A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, culminating as Commander, Military Air Transport Service (MATS), from 1960 to 1964. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Kelly culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Division:

    Stewart Field

    Action Date:

    1945 – 1946
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Joe William Kelly (AFSN: 612A), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, Stewart Field, from 1945 to 1946. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Kelly and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.