John Joseph Kelly

Private, U.S. Marine Corps

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War I

Private John Joseph Kelly (24 June 1898 - 20 November 1957) was a U.S. Marine who twice received the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during World War I. He was awarded the Medal of Honor from both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy for the same action on 13 October 1918 at the Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge, France. He was the last of the 19 two-time Medal of Honor recipients to have been alive. [It is no longer allowed to award two Medals of Honor for the same action.]

John Joseph Kelly was born in Chicago, IL, on 24 June 1898. He enlisted as a Private in the U.S. Marine Corps on 15 May 1917 in Port Royal, SC. On 5 September 1917, he joined the 7th Company, 6th Regiment, at Quantico, VA, and on 12 September 1917 was transferred to the 78th Company. On 19 January 1918, his regiment embarked from Philadelphia, PA, on the USS Henderson and arrived at St. Nazaire, France, on 5 February 1918.

Private Kelly participated in engagements at Château-Thierry, St. Mihiel, Blanc Mont and the Meuse-Argonne offensive. 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 both the Army and Navy Medals of Honor.

Medals of Honor

(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.

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.

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.

The circumstances of Private Kelly's Medal of Honor presentation were unique. It was pinned on his chest by General John J. Pershing, Commander-in-Chief, American Expeditionary Force, while Private Kelly was with the Army of Occupation. With him in line, waiting for other medals were U.S. Army Major Generals Dickman, Muir, Haan and Hines.

Kelly also participated in the march to the Rhine River and in the occupation of the Coblenz Bridgehead, from 17 November to 12 December 1918. Private Kelly was honorably discharged, with character "Excellent" at the Marine Barracks, Quantico, VA, on 14 August 1919.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Croix de guerre with Bronze Star (France)
Croix de guerre with Palm (France)
Montenegrin Silver Medal for Bravery (Montenegro)
Médaille militaire (France)
Croce al Merito di Guerra (Italy)

Death and Burial

Private John Joseph Kelly died on 20 November 1957. He is buried at All Saints Catholic Cemetery & Mausoleum in Des Plaines, Cook County, IL, in Plot 13, Section 2, Row 4, Grave 12.