Medal of Honor: John D. Kelly – World War II – June 25, 1944

Name: John D. Kelly
Rank: Technical Sergeant (then Corporal)
Branch: U.S. Army
War: World War II
Unit: Company E, 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division
Date of Action: June 25, 1944
Location: Fort du Roule, Cherbourg, France

Summary of Action

On 25 June 1944, during the battle for the fortress defenses surrounding Cherbourg, Corporal John D. Kelly served with Company E, 314th Infantry Regiment as his unit advanced against the heavily fortified positions of Fort du Roule.

The American attack was halted by intense machine-gun fire coming from a deeply entrenched German strongpoint positioned on the steep slope leading to the fort.

The enemy emplacement dominated the terrain and prevented further advance.

Recognizing the danger to his fellow soldiers and the importance of eliminating the position, Kelly volunteered to attack the bunker alone.

Arming himself with a pole charge approximately ten feet long carrying fifteen pounds of explosives, he began climbing the exposed hillside directly into a storm of enemy machine-gun fire.

Despite the intense fire directed at him, he reached the strongpoint and placed the charge against its base.

The explosion damaged the position but failed to silence the enemy guns.

Without hesitation, Kelly again climbed the deadly slope alone carrying another explosive charge.

This second blast succeeded in destroying the ends of the enemy machine guns, reducing the bunker's ability to fire.

Still unwilling to stop until the position had been completely neutralized, Kelly climbed the hill a third time.

Moving to the rear entrance of the strongpoint, he placed another explosive charge and detonated it, blowing open the bunker.

He then hurled hand grenades into the position, forcing the surviving members of the German gun crews to surrender.

His extraordinary courage, determination, and willingness to repeatedly expose himself to certain death enabled his unit to continue the attack against the fortifications overlooking Cherbourg.

Technical Sergeant John D. Kelly's actions reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

KELLY, JOHN D.

Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant (then Corporal), U.S. Army, Company E, 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division.

Place and date: Fort du Roule, Cherbourg, France, 25 June 1944.

Entered service at: Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania.

Birth: Venango Township, Pennsylvania.

G.O. No.: 6, 24 January 1945.

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 machine-gun 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 ten feet long and with fifteen pounds of explosive affixed, he climbed the slope under a withering blast of machine-gun 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 gun crews 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.