KELLY, THOMAS J.
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army,
Medical Detachment, 48th Armored Infantry Battalion, 7th Armored Division. Place and
date: Alemert, Germany, 5 April 1945. Entered service at: Brooklyn, N.Y. Birth:
Brooklyn, N.Y. G.O. No: 97, 1 November 1945.
Citation:
He was an aid man with the 1st Platoon of Company C during an attack on the town of
Alemert, Germany. The platoon, committed in a flanking maneuver, had advanced down a
small, open valley overlooked by wooded slopes hiding enemy machineguns and tanks, when
the attack was stopped by murderous fire that inflicted heavy casualties in the American
ranks. Ordered to withdraw, Cpl. Kelly reached safety with uninjured remnants of the unit,
but, on realizing the extent of casualties suffered by the platoon, voluntarily retraced
his steps and began evacuating his comrades under direct machinegun fire. He was forced to
crawl, dragging the injured behind him for most of the 300 yards separating the exposed
area from a place of comparative safety. Two other volunteers who attempted to negotiate
the hazardous route with him were mortally wounded, but he kept on with his herculean task
after dressing their wounds and carrying them to friendly hands. In all, he made 10
separate trips through the brutal fire, each time bringing out a man from the death trap.
Seven more casualties who were able to crawl by themselves he guided and encouraged in
escaping from the hail of fire. After he had completed his heroic, self-imposed task and
was near collapse from fatigue, he refused to leave his platoon until the attack had been
resumed and the objective taken. Cpl. Kelly's gallantry and intrepidity in the face of
seemingly certain death saved the lives of many of his fellow soldiers and was an example
of bravery under fire.
