Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Regiment:

    165th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 15, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 59 (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 Corporal Thomas O’Kelly (ASN: 89584), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company C, 165th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Landres-et-St. Georges, France, 15 October 1918. Even after being warned of the danger of attempting to get through the murderous fire, and, after he had seen all the other battalion runners killed or wounded on the same mission, Corporal O’ Kelly willingly volunteered and started with a message to regimental headquarters. When he had gone but a short distance, he was wounded but managed to reach his destination, after which he was taken to a hospital.