*KELLY, JOHN D.
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant
(then Corporal), U.S. Army, Company E, 314th Infantry, 79th Infantry Division. Place
and date: Fort du Roule, Cherbourg, France, 25 June 1944. Entered service at:
Cambridge Springs, Pa. Birth: Venango Township, Pa. 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
Cpl. Kelly's unit was pinned down by heavy enemy machinegun fire emanating from a deeply
entrenched strongpoint on the slope leading up to the fort, Cpl. Kelly volunteered to
attempt to neutralize the strongpoint. Arming himself with a pole charge about 10 feet
long and with 15 pounds of explosive affixed, he climbed the slope under a withering blast
of machinegun 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. Cpl. 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 guncrews to come out and surrender The gallantry, tenacity of purpose, and utter
disregard for personal safety displayed by Cpl. Kelly were an incentive to his comrades
and worthy of emulation by all.
