Rank Insignia Previous Honoree ID Next Honoree ID


   
honoree image
First Name: Columbus

Last Name: Kelton

Birthplace: Haskell Co., OK, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Marines (present)



Home of Record: Truscott, TX
Middle Name: Jefferson



Date of Birth: 21 December 1924

Date of Death: 24 February 1945

Rank: Private First Class

Years Served:
Columbus Jefferson Kelton, Jr.
'Jack'

   
Engagements:
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)

Biography:

Columbus Jefferson 'Jack' Kelton

Private 1st Class, U. S. Marine Corps

Navy Cross

GENERAL ORDERS:
Commander in Chief Pacific Forces: Serial 32446 (July 12, 1945)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class C. J. Kelton (MCSN: 870869), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with the Fifth Tank Battalion, Division Service Troops, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 22 February 1945.
With his platoon command tank struck and set afire by hostile shellfire during a perilous advance northward against a fanatic, determined enemy, Private First Class Kelton promptly dismounted from his own vehicle and braved the enemy's shattering 47-mm. antitank, mortar and small-arms fire in a valiant attempt to rescue the entrapped crew. Boldly pressing forward under the withering barrage, he crossed the 25-yard open area and unhesitatingly entered the blazing tank and then, working tirelessly and with superb courage, personally extricated two of the three wounded men from the tank and carried them back to his own vehicle despite the incessant shellfire. By his daring initiative, outstanding fortitude and grave concern for the safety of others at great risk to his own life, Private First Class Kelton contributed to the saving of three fellow Marines who otherwise might have perished and his self-sacrificing efforts throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

THE ABILENE REPORTER-NEWS, ABILENE, TEXAS, FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 20, 1945, PAGE THREE
TRUSCOTT MARINE DIES ON IWO JIMA
MUNDAY, April 20--Mr. and Mrs. C.J. Kelton Sr., of Truscott, have been informed that their son, Pfc. C.J. Kelton Jr., was killed March 24 in action at Iwo Jima.
Private Kelton, only three weeks earlier, had cited as an outstanding hero for bravery on the island when he ignored deadly enemy fire and rescued two fellow Marines.



Origin of Nickname/Handle:

Texas WWII Exceptional Gallantry

Honoree ID: 95562   Created by: MHOH

Ribbons


Medals


Badges


Honoree Photos

honoree imagehonoree imagehonoree image

honoree imagehonoree image

honoree image

Remembrances


Tributes