Cyril John Kelly

1st Lieutenant, U. S. Army

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 90th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 233 (December 24. 1944)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Cyril J. Kelly (ASN: 0-1180986), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the 241st Field Artillery Battalion, 90th Infantry Division in action on 13 December 1944 in the vicinity of Dillingen, Germany.
During an attack on the town, Second Lieutenant Kelly, Artillery Forward Observer, established an Observation Post in a dangerously exposed position. When the enemy launched a counterattack, the Observation Post was hit by direct enemy tank and small arms fire, making Second Lieutenant Kelly's position almost untenable. At risk of his life, he remained at his post and directed artillery fire so expertly that it disabled three enemy tanks, killed the tank crews and killed or wounded innumerable enemy infantry troops. The cool courage and remarkable ability shown by Second Lieutenant Kelly contributed immeasurably to the complete repulsion of the enemy.
His gallantry was in accordance with high military tradition.