Charles E. Kelly (soldier): Difference between revisions

{{about||the Irish cartoonist|Charles E. Kelly (cartoonist)|the Vietnam War helicopter pilot|Charles L. Kelly}}

 

{{Infobox military person

| name = Charles E. Kelly

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1920|9|23}}

| death_date = {{Death date and age|1985|1|11|1920|9|23}}

| accessdate =February 20, 2012

}}</ref> in May 1942, and by September 13, 1943, was serving as a [[Corporal#United States|corporal]] in Company L, [[143rd Infantry Regiment (United States)|143rd Infantry Regiment]], [[36th Infantry Division (United States)|36th Infantry Division]]. After voluntarily participating in several patrols on that day, near [[Altavilla Silentina|Altavilla]], [[Italy]], he helped to defend an [[ammunition]] storehouse against attack by [[Germany|German]] forces. He held his position behind the storehouse all night, then took up a position inside the building. When withdrawal became necessary, he voluntarily stayed behind and held the German soldiers at bay until everyone had been evacuated from the storehouse, at which time he withdrew and was able to rejoin his unit. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor five months later, on February 18, 1944.

 

===Medal of Honor citation===

Kelly's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

<blockquote>For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. On 13 September 1943, near Altavilla, Italy, Cpl. Kelly voluntarily joined a patrol which located and neutralized enemy [[machine gun]] positions. After this hazardous duty he volunteered to establish contact with a [[battalion]] of U.S. infantry which was believed to be located on Hill 315, a mile distant. He traveled over a route commanded by enemy observation and under [[sniper]], [[mortar (weapon)|mortar]], and [[artillery]] fire; and later he returned with the correct information that the enemy occupied Hill 315 in organized positions. Immediately thereafter Cpl. Kelly, again a volunteer patrol member, assisted materially in the destruction of 2 enemy machinegun nests under conditions requiring great skill and courage. Having effectively fired his weapon until all the ammunition was exhausted, he secured permission to obtain more at an ammunition dump. Arriving at the dump, which was located near a storehouse on the extreme flank of his regiment's position, Cpl. Kelly found that the Germans were attacking ferociously at this point. He obtained his ammunition and was given the mission of protecting the rear of the storehouse. He held his position throughout the night. The following morning the enemy attack was resumed. Cpl. Kelly took a position at an open window of the storehouse. One machine gunner had been killed at this position and several other soldiers wounded. Cpl. Kelly delivered continuous aimed and effective fire upon the enemy with his automatic rifle until the weapon locked from overheating. Finding another automatic rifle, he again directed effective fire upon the enemy until this weapon also locked. At this critical point, with the enemy threatening to overrun the position, Cpl. Kelly picked up 60mm. mortar shells, pulled the safety pins, and used the shells as grenades, killing at least 5 of the enemy. When it became imperative that the house be evacuated, Cpl. Kelly, despite his sergeant's injunctions, volunteered to hold the position until the remainder of the detachment could withdraw. As the detachment moved out, Cpl. Kelly was observed deliberately loading and firing a rocket launcher from the window. He was successful in covering the withdrawal of the unit, and later in joining his own organization. Cpl. Kelly's fighting determination and intrepidity in battle exemplify the highest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces.</blockquote>

 

After receiving the Medal, Kelly toured the country with a group of other infantrymen as part of the Army Ground Forces' "Here's Your Infantry," demonstrating various battle techniques and selling [[war bonds]]. When the tour ended, Kelly was assigned to the Infantry School at [[Fort Benning]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]].