Corporal John J. h Kelly was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 9, 1874 at Upper Wichita River, Texas during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Company I, 5th U.S. Infantry. Kelly was about 23 years old.
11 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on April 23, 1875. He later rose to the rank of Ordnance Sergeant.
Kelly was born in 1851 in Schuyler County, Illinois. His Medal of Honor is credited to Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. Kelly died on February 4, 1907 in Springfield, Illinois, at the age of about 56. He is buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois.
Kelly is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 210 credited to Illinois.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Gallantry in action.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1851Born in Schuyler County, Illinois
- September 9, 1874Act of valor — Upper Wichita River, TexasAge about 23. Company I, 5th U.S. Infantry
- April 23, 1875Medal of Honor presented
- February 4, 1907Died in Springfield, IllinoisAge about 56.
- Resting placeOak Ridge CemeterySpringfield, Illinois