The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Vincent John Kelly, Jr. (MCSN: 1517827), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company F, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 25 February 1966, during the second phase of Operation DOUBLE EAGLE, Staff Sergeant Kelly’s platoon was conducting a search and destroy operation in the vicinity of Cam Khe when it came under intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire from the front and flank. Without hesitation, Staff Sergeant Kelly skillfully deployed his men and led them in an assault of the Viet Cong positions. When thick underbrush hampered the forward movement, he ran into the face of withering enemy fire, displaying courage and aggressiveness which motivated his men to pursue the attack with renewed spirit. Through his resolute effort, the Marines retained the momentum of the assault and overran the enemy’s entrenchments. A Viet Cong machine gun was captured, and twenty-seven of the enemy were killed in the action. By his intrepid fighting spirit, extraordinary leadership and selfless dedication to duty throughout, Staff Sergeant Kelly upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Gunnery Sergeant Vincent John Kelly, Jr. (MCSN: 1517827), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Company Gunnery Sergeant of Company L, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 10 April 1969, while the First Platoon was participating in Operation OKLAHOMA HILLS in a heavily-jungled area of Quang Nam Province, the Marines came under a heavy volume of small-arms and automatic-weapons fire from enemy soldiers occupying well-concealed emplacements in the dense brush. During the initial moments of the fire fight, several Marines, including the Platoon Commander, were seriously wounded and the remainder of the platoon was pinned down by intense fire and unable to evacuate the casualties. Unhesitatingly leaving his position of relative safety, Gunnery Sergeant Kelly raced to the beleaguered unit and, after rapidly assessing the situation, immediately maneuvered the men into more advantageous fighting positions. Directing them to provide a base of fire, he then ran into the fire-swept area and commenced moving his wounded companions to covered locations. After he had successfully completed several trips across the dangerous terrain under the withering enemy fusillade, he was temporarily forced to stop his actions by the increased intensity of enemy fire. Requesting a reaction force, he then directed the fire of his men against the enemy and, upon arrival of the relief unit, coordinated the fire of his men and the reaction force. During the ensuing battle, he boldly advanced into the open area on seven separate occasions to evacuate his injured comrades. Inspired by his fearlessness, the Marines subsequently overran the hostile positions. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Gunnery Sergeant Kelly contributed significantly to the defeat of the enemy and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.