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World War II
Gave his life
John D. Kelly
Technical Sergeant (then Corporal) · U.S. Army
U.S. Army, Company E, 314th Infantry, 79th Infantry Division
25 June 1944 · Fort du Roule, Cherbourg, France
- Branch
- U.S. Army
- Era
- World War II
- Home state
- Pennsylvania
- Action
- Fort du Roule, Cherbourg, France
The citation
Official citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. On 25 June 1944, in the vicinity of Fort du Roule, Cherbourg, France, when Corporal. Kelly's unit was pinned down by heavy enemy machinegun fire emanating from a deeply entrenched strongpoint on the slope leading up to the fort, Corporal. Kelly volunteered to attempt to neutralize the strongpoint. Arming himself with a pole charge about 10 feet long and with 15 pounds of explosive affixed, he climbed the slope under a withering blast of machinegun fire and placed the charge at the strongpoint's base. The subsequent blast was ineffective, and again, alone and unhesitatingly, he braved the slope to repeat the operation. This second blast blew off the ends of the enemy guns. Corporal. Kelly then climbed the slope a third time to place a pole charge at the strongpoint's rear entrance. When this had been blown open he hurled hand grenades inside the position, forcing survivors of the enemy guncrews to come out and surrender The gallantry, tenacity of purpose, and utter disregard for personal safety displayed by Corporal. Kelly were an incentive to his comrades and worthy of emulation by all.