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James
P.
Kelly

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Field Artillery)

    Regiment:

    18th Field Artillery Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 4 – 20, 1918
    Headquarters, 3d Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders No. 22 (July 8, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) James P. Kelly, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with the 18th Field Artillery Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Lieutenant Kelly became his own executive when the supply of ammunition gave out and had every available man assist in carrying ammunition to the battery. By his untiring efforts, inspiring courage and decisiveness, he succeeded in keeping his battery in action continuously from 4 July to 20 July 1918, under adverse conditions until he with thirty-seven of his men became gas casualties from effects of yperite or Mustard Gas.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Field Artillery)

    Regiment:

    18th Field Artillery Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 14 – 15, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 22 (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 First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) James P. Kelly, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 18th Field Artillery, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Chateau-Thierry, France, July 14 – 15, 1918. During the bombardment preceding the enemy attack across the Marne the position of Battery B, 18th Field Artillery, was subjected to heavy artillery fire for a period of four hours. All communications were destroyed and the ammunition dump destroyed by hostile fire. Throughout the enemy bombardment Lieutenant Kelly kept his battery in action, exposing himself to concentrated enemy artillery fire in order to replenish his ammunition supply, and delivered an effective fire on the enemy.