The President of the United States,
in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting
the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to:
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JOHN D. KELLY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Radio Operator of Company C,
First Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 28 May 1952. With his
platoon pinned down by a numerically superior enemy force employing intense mortar, artillery, small-arms and grenade fire, Private First Class Kelly
requested permission to leave his radio in the care of another man and to participate in an assault on enemy key positions. Fearlessly charging
forward in the face of a murderous hail of machine-gun fire and hand grenades, he initiated a daring attack against a hostile strongpoint and
personally neutralized the position, killing two of the enemy. Unyielding in the face of heavy odds, he continued forward and singlehandedly
assaulted a machine-gun bunker. Although painfully wounded , he bravely charged the bunker and destroyed it, killing three of the enemy.
Courageously continuing his one-man assault, he again stormed forward in a valiant attempt to wipe out a third bunker and boldly delivered
point-blank fire into the aperture of the hostile emplacement. Mortally wounded by enemy fire while carrying out his heroic action, Private First Class
Kelly, by his great personal valor and aggressive fighting spirit, inspired his comrades to sweep on, overrun and secure the objective.
His extraordinary heroism in the face of almost certain death reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances the finest traditions of the United
States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
/S/DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER