Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Regiment:

    356th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    November 7 – 8, & 11, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 32 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Orlen O. Kelley (ASN: 2185003), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company I, 356th Infantry Regiment, 89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Pouilly, France, 7 to 8 November 1918, and 11 November 1918. Accompanying a patrol into the village of Pouilly to determine the strength of the enemy, Sergeant Kelley crossed the Meuse by means of a destroyed bridge, which, together with all approaches thereto, was subjected to an intense harassing fire of one-pounders, machine-guns and snipers. On 11 November Sergeant Kelley continued a gallant fight against an enemy machine-gun nest, after his company commander had been evacuated because of wounds.