Private Andrew John Kelley was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 20, 1863 in Knoxville, Tennessee during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company E, 17th Michigan Infantry. Kelley was 18 years old.
3 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on April 17, 1900, 36 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Sergeant.
Kelley was born on September 2, 1845 in La Grange County, Indiana. His Medal of Honor is credited to Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, Michigan. Kelley died on June 4, 1918 in Crookston, Minnesota, at the age of 72. He is buried at Oakdale Cemetery in Crookston, Minnesota.
Kelley is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 112 credited to Michigan.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Having voluntarily accompanied a small party to destroy buildings within the enemy's lines whence sharpshooters had been firing, Kelley disregarded an order to retire, remained, and completed the firing of the buildings, thus insuring their total destruction; this at the imminent risk of his life from the fire of the advancing enemy.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Occupations: farmer
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Michigan →
Timeline
- September 2, 1845Born in La Grange County, Indiana
- November 20, 1863Act of valor — Knoxville, TennesseeAge 18. Company E, 17th Michigan Infantry
- April 17, 1900Medal of Honor presented
- June 4, 1918Died in Crookston, MinnesotaAge 72.
- Resting placeOakdale CemeteryCrookston, Minnesota
Biography
Andrew John Kelley (September 2, 1845 - June 4, 1918) was an American recipient of the Medal of Honor and soldier in the American Civil War.
From the Wikipedia article “Andrew J. Kelley”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
