Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Technical Sergeant

    Batallion:

    89th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    3d Bombardment Group (L)

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    May 25, 1942

    Headquarters, South West Pacific Area, General Orders No. 43 (October 16, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Technical Sergeant Arthur Graham Kelly (ASN: 6389562), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Bombardier of a B-25 Medium Bomber in the 89th Bombardment Squadron, 3d Bombardment Group (L), FAR EAST Air Force, in action near Lae, New Guinea, on 25 May 1942. While on a bombing raid over an enemy base, the formation in which Technical Sergeant Kelly was Bombardier was viciously attacked by about twenty enemy fighters as it made the bombing run. With complete disregard to the intense enemy fighter attack, Technical Sergeant Kelly coolly and efficiently performed his duties and placed his bombs on the target. As the formation completed the bombing run, it was broken up due to the loss of the leading airplane in each of the elements and Technical Sergeant Kelly’s plane was left in an exposed position. He then manned the nose gun of the airplane and succeeded in destroying two enemy fighters before his own plane was shot down. He continued to fire even as the airplane was approaching the water for a crash landing and as a result was unable to extricate himself from his position before the airplane sank. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Technical Sergeant Kelly on this occasion, at the cost of his life, have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.