Serving as a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, Private John Joseph Kelly received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 3, 1918 at Blanc Mont Ridge, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division. Kelly was 20 years old.
3 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on March 15, 1919. Coblenz, Germany, presented by Gen. John J. Pershing. Kelly is one of the few people to receive the Medal of Honor twice; see his other award (October 3, 1918).
Kelly was born on June 24, 1898 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Kelly died on November 20, 1957 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at the age of 59. He is buried at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Illinois.
Kelly is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 210 credited to Illinois.
Official Medal of Honor citation
[Received both the Army and Navy Medal of Honor for the same deed.]
Army Medal of Honor: Pvt. Kelly ran through our own barrage 100 yards in advance of the front line and attacked an enemy machine-gun nest, killing the gunner with a grenade, shooting another member of the crew with his pistol, and returning through the barrage with eight prisoners. Navy Medal of Honor For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division, in action with the enemy at Blanc Mont Ridge, France, 3 October 1918. Pvt. Kelly ran through our own barrage a hundred yards in advance of the front line and attacked an enemy machine-gun nest, killing the gunner with a grenade, shooting another member of the crew with his pistol, and returning through the barrage with eight prisoners.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge
Result: Allied victory
6 Medal of Honor recipients
1918 · World War IBattle of Saint-Mihiel
Result: Allied victory
6 Medal of Honor recipients
1918 · World War IBattle of Château-Thierry
Result: Allied victory
4 Medal of Honor recipients
Also served in: World War I.
Places
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Timeline
- June 24, 1898Born in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
- October 3, 1918Act of valor — Blanc Mont Ridge, FranceAge 20. 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division
- March 15, 1919Medal of Honor presentedCoblenz, Germany, presented by Gen. John J. Pershing
- November 20, 1957Died in Fort Lauderdale, FloridaAge 59.
- Resting placeAll Saints CemeteryDes Plaines, Illinois
Biography
John Joseph Kelly (June 24, 1898 – November 20, 1957) was a United States Marine who was awarded both the Army and Navy Medals of Honor for his heroic actions on October 13, 1918, at the Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge, France, during World War I. He was the last surviving of 19 two-time Medal of Honor recipients when he died, although he received both awards for the same action.
From the Wikipedia article “John J. Kelly”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
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