The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Paul Xavier Kelley (MCSN: 0-50603), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, from 22 February to 6 July 1966 in connection with military operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. During this period, Lieutenant Colonel Kelley performed his duties with exceptional skill and resourcefulness. Exhibiting keen judgment, bold initiative and exemplary leadership, he led his Battalion in five major operations and numerous Battalion search and clear operations which contributed to the rapid expansion of the THIRE Marine Amphibious Force Tactical Area. In addition to combat operations, he maintained continuous liaison with Vietnamese government officials, military commanders and United States Army Advisors. Aware of the delicate balance between his responsibility for the safety of United States installations and personnel and the announced neutral position of the United States in the civil disorders of May 1966, he applied a rare combination of diplomacy and forthright action to accomplish his assigned mission in this potentially explosive situation. On one occasion, a large Vietnamese ammunition depot in DaNang East, located near a heavily populated area and several United States installations, was seized by dissident forces and threatened with destruction. After a tense seventy-two hour period, Lieutenant Colonel Kelley exhibited outstanding judgment by his effective and timely movement of a tank-infantry force which brought about the capitulation of the dissident group without bloodshed. When his Battalion was ordered to the northern provinces of the I Corps area, he selflessly devoted his time to pacification and civic action programs. In several areas of Thua Thien Province, his efforts were instrumental in winning the friendship and confidence of the Vietnamese people. His actions throughout his tour reflected the highest standards and devotion to duty. By his resourcefulness, dedication, courage and fearless determination, Lieutenant Colonel Kelley upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Colonel Kelley is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelRegiment:
1st MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.)Action Date:
June 1970 – June 1971
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Paul Xavier Kelley (MCSN: 0-50603), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in the Republic of Vietnam from June 1970 to June 1971.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
GeneralDivision:
Commandant of the Marine CorpsAction Date:
June 1983 – June 1987
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to General Paul Xavier Kelley (MCSN: 0-50603), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as the twenty-eighth Commandant of the United States Marine Corps from June 1983 to June 1987. General Kelley served with distinction in the highest level of the Marine Corps leadership and responsibility, consistently demonstrating a keen sense of national security priorities. His dedication was not only to the Marine Corps but all Services, thus contributing significantly toward the efforts to make a viable and united defense establishment to support the joint initiatives of the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Furthermore, his efforts in the development, acquisition, and procurement of technologically advanced weapons systems not only contributed to the increased readiness posture of the Marine Corps but gave a new meaning to the role of all Services in joint operations within the Continental United States and abroad. In his role as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Kelley’s unequaled expertise in national security issues and appreciation for the capabilities of naval and military forces affecting the international political arena made him an invaluable and well respected member of the Joint Chiefs. Within his own Service, General Kelley was singularly effective in promoting critical quality of life issues for members of the Corps and their families, thus enhancing the morale and combat readiness of the Marine Corps. Under General Kelley’s stewardship, the Marine Corps reached new heights in combat readiness and the ability to go to war while at the same time maintaining the utmost in standards to become a Marine. General Kelley’s distinguished performance of duty as a military statesman and outstanding record of achievements throughout a career spanning 37 years are in the most cherished traditions of military service, reflecting great credit on him, the United States Marine Corps, and the Department of Defense.
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
GeneralDivision:
Commandant of the Marine CorpsAction Date:
July 1983 – June 1987
Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General Paul Xavier Kelley (MCSN: 0-50603), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Commandant of the Marine Corps and as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from July 1983 to June 1987. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Kelley’s advice and forthright counsel contributed directly to the proper shaping of the United States military posture and force structure to retain war footing flexibility, yet provide a sound framework for planners and logisticians. He helped formulate the strategy for bilateral and multilateral negotiations on nuclear, conventional, and chemical arms control and for developing a military-to-military relationship with the People’s Republic of China. General Kelley’s leadership was critical to developing response options for the Grenada rescue operation and several other crises, to formulating policies to combat terrorism worldwide, to supporting drug interdiction in the western hemisphere, and to obtaining the landmark Joint Chiefs of Staff decision on theater counter air operations. The distinctive accomplishments of General Kelley culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Marine Corps, and the Department of Defense.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Brigadier General [then Colonel]Action Date:
July 1971 – August 1974
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General [then Colonel] Paul Xavier Kelley (MCSN: 0-50603), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a member, and subsequently as Chief, Southeast Asia Branch, Plans and Policy Directorate, and as Executive Assistant to the Director, Joint Staff Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from July 1971 to August 1974. Brigadier General Kelley demonstrated exemplary professional and intellectual capacities, great initiative and a keen understanding of the full spectrum of politico-military planning. During his tenure, his sound judgment and insight into all aspects of Vietnamese matters were instrumental factors in resolving many of the vital problems of preparing for and executing the cease-fire activities in Vietnam. Further, Brigadier General Kelley was a primary contributor to studies and reports of an urgent nature which led to fundamental national decisions pertaining to Southeast Asia. By his distinctive accomplishments, inspiring leadership, and selfless devotion to duty, Brigadier General Kelley reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
GeneralDivision:
Commandant of the Marine CorpsAction Date:
July 1983 – June 1987
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to General Paul Xavier Kelley (MCSN: 0-50603), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as the 28th Commandant of the Marine Corps from July 1983 through June 1987. Under General Kelley’s dedicated and inspirational leadership, the United States Marine Corps achieved its highest level of combat readiness in our Nation’s peacetime history. Directing an exhaustive and unprecedented program of weapons, equipment, and facilities modernization throughout the Marine Corps, he provided the American people with a formidable Force-in-Readiness unparalleled in the world. Committed foremost to maintaining quality Marines who are prepared, equipped, and motivated to achieve victory in combat, General Kelley set standards of training and performance that are skillfully preparing the Corps today for the battlefields of tomorrow. Widely beloved for his genuine concern for the individual Marine, he further distinguished himself through the many quality of life improvements he has made for leatherneck families stationed around the globe. By his principled leadership, visionary innovation, deep compassion, and inspiring devotion to duty, General Kelley reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
GeneralDivision:
Commandant of the Marine CorpsAction Date:
July 1, 1983 – June 30, 1987
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to General Paul Xavier Kelley (MCSN: 0-50603), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Kelley distinguished himself as Commandant, United States Marine Corps, Headquarters, United States Marine Corps, Washington, District of Columbia, from 1 July 1983 to 30 June 1987. Throughout his four years as the Marine Corps’ Commandant, General Kelley, skillfully and successfully combined force modernization and quality-of-life initiatives into a balanced program, which brought the Corps to unmatched levels of readiness and morale. Moreover, his military expertise in the areas of deployments and joint force operations, coupled with his earnest push for realistic inter-service training, have propelled the Corps to unprecedented levels of readiness in support of U.S. interests and allies around the world. General Kelley’s superb knowledge of national security affairs and intuitive grasp of the nuances of international politics have made him an invaluable advisor and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In short, his unwavering commitment to the overall defense posture of the United States and his dedication to her ideals have combined to make him a true soldier and American patriot–semper fidelis. The singular distinctive accomplishments of General Kelley culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Marine Corps.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
4th MarinesDivision:
3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMFAction Date:
March 21, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Paul Xavier Kelley (MCSN: 0-50603), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 21 March 1966, during Operation TEXAS, Lieutenant Colonel Kelley led his Battalion in a helicopter assault on a Viet Cong fortified area in Quang Ngai Province. Debarking from his helicopter into accurate, intense enemy fire, he realized that the landing zone must be enlarged in order to bring in the balance of the Battalion safely. With great professional competence and composure, he maneuvered his Companies into position to attack the enemy, employing all available supporting arms. As a result of his decisive action, all aircraft and personnel landed without sustaining casualties. In the attack phase, with complete disregard for his own safety, Lieutenant Colonel Kelley placed himself in a strategic, exposed position from which he could best control the assault companies and supporting arms. His personal example and bold leadership were a source of inspiration to all who were engaged in the operation. At the conclusion of the vicious three and a half hour battle, Lieutenant Colonel Kelley’s Battalion had accounted for 167 Viet Cong killed, many small arms and crew served weapons captured, and tons of supplies destroyed. By his daring leadership, relentless fighting spirit and unswerving dedication to duty throughout, Lieutenant Colonel Kelley upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.