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World War I Double Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Private John Joseph Kelly, USMC
John Joseph Kelly, born in Chicago, Illinois, on 24 June 1898, enlisted as a private in the U.S. Marine Corps on 15 May 1917 at Port Royal, South Carolina. On 5 September 1917, he joined the 7th Company, 6th Regiment, at Quantico, Virginia, and on 12 September 1917, he was transferred to the 78th Company. His regiment embarked, 19 January 1918, in the USS Henderson at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and arrived at St. Nazaire, France, on 5 February 1918.
Private Kelly participated in engagements at Chateau Thierry, St. Mihiel, Blanc Mont and the Meuse-Argonne. In the desperate fighting at Blanc Mont Ridge he ran "100 yards in advance of the front line and attacked an enemy machine-gun nest," for which he was awarded two Medals of Honor (Army and Navy). The citation reads as follows:
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the Seventy-eighth Company, Sixth Regiment, Second Division, in action with the enemy at Blanc Mont Ridge, France, 3 October 1918. Private 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."
He also participated in the march to the Rhine River and in the occupation of the Coblenz Bridgehead, from 17 November to 12 December. Private Kelly was honorably discharged, with character "Excellent" at the Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia, on 14 August 1919.
The circumstances of Private Kelly's Medal of Honor decoration were unique. It was pinned on his chest by General John J. Pershing , Commander-in-Chief, American Expeditionary Force, while Kelly was with the Army of Occupation. With him in line, waiting for other decorations were U.S. Army Major Generals Dickman, Muir, Haan and Hines. His foreign decorations include the French Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star; French Croix de Guerre with Palm; Montenegrin Silver Medal for bravery; the French Medaille Militaire; and the Italian Croce al Merito di Guerra.
At the time of his death, 20 November 1957, his address was listed as the Wingate Hotel, Chicago, Illinois.
CITATIONS:
Army Medal
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps, 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division. Place and date: At Blanc Mont Ridge, France, 3 October 1918. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Born. 24 June 1898, Chicago, Ill. G.O. No.: 16, W.D., 1919. (Also received Navy Medal of Honor.) Citation: Pvt. Kelly ran through our own barrage 100 yards in advance of the front line and attacked an enemy machinegun nest, killing the gunner with a grenade, shooting another member of the crew with his pistol, and returning through the barrage with 8 prisoners.
Navy Medal
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps, 78th Company 6th Regiment. Born: 24 June 1898, Chicago, Ill. Accredited to: Illinois. (Also received Army Medal of Honor.) Citation: 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 machinegun nest, killing the gunner with a grenade, shooting another member of the crew with his pistol, and returning through the barrage with 8 prisoners.
Courtesy of Find A Grave
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