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Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Captain John Albert Kelly (MCSN: 0-88887), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company G, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 20 February 1969, Captain Kelly’s company was participating in a battalion-sized operation to interdict an important hostile re-supply route into northern A Shau Valley when the Marines came under a heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire accompanied by rocket propelled grenades from elements of two North Vietnamese Army regiments occupying a formidable and well-concealed bunker complex. Reacting instantly, Captain Kelly skillfully deployed his units into effective fighting positions and, after fearlessly conducting a physical reconnaissance of the area, realized that a front attack against the hostile emplacements would cause excessive friendly casualties. Withdrawing his lead element, he requested artillery and fixed wing support and skillfully coordinating their fire with that of his mortars, initiated a rapid and aggressive assault upon the enemy position, thus maintaining contact with the North Vietnamese soldiers and denying them the opportunity to counterattack. Informed that several field artillery pieces were located forward of his position, Captain Kelly requested fixed wing air strikes on the gun emplacements and, shouting words of encouragement to his wearied men, disregarded his own safety as he led a bold frontal assault which resulted in the capture of two 122-mm. guns. His heroic actions and brilliant leadership inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his men accounting for seventy-one enemy soldiers killed with only minimal Marine casualties, despite the tenacity of the hostile defensive activities. Captain Kelly’s courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    3d Marines

    Division:

    3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMF

    Action Date:

    August 18, 1965

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant John Albert Kelly (MCSN: 0-88887), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company I, Third Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, during Operation STARLITE in the Republic of Vietnam on 18 August 1965. As the Weapons Platoon Commander of Company I, First Lieutenant Kelly took command of the company when his company commander was killed in action during an attack against the fortified position of insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces. Though the company had received heavy casualties, he immediately took charge until such time as the executive officer could be summoned, effected a rapid reorganization, and continued the attack to seize the company’s objective. Later the same day, while serving as the company Executive Officer, Lieutenant Kelly immediately and upon his own initiative, when the company had suffered heavy casualties from enemy mortar fire, assisted in reorganizing the company and personally took charge of the evacuation of the dead and wounded. The evacuation continued until all casualties had been removed; stopping only once when Lieutenant Kelly had to utilize all available personnel, including the wounded to repel an attack by an enemy squad against the landing zone. After the casualties had been evacuated, he policed the battlefield of all weapons and equipment to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. During the night of 18 August 1965, Lieutenant Kelly, separated from the main body of the company, formed Marines from three separate units into a composite fighting force for the purpose of night security and the safeguarding of equipment. Lieutenant Kelly’s actions throughout were characterized by uncommon composure and determination although under continued enemy small arms fire and sporadic mortar fire. His heroic actions directly contributed to his company’s success as a fighting force, the infliction of heavy casualties upon the enemy, the survival of numerous wounded Marines and the denial to the enemy of many thousands of dollars worth of military equipment. By his courageous actions, inspiring leadership and loyal devotion to duty in the face of grave personal risk, Lieutenant Kelly upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.