KELLEY, JERRY CONRAD
KELLEY, JERRY CONRAD
Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army
Company C, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne
Brigade (Separate),
Date of Action: November 12, 1967
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Jerry
Conrad Kelley, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in
connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile
force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion
(Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate). Specialist Four
Kelley distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 12 November
1967 while serving as machine gunner of an airborne infantry company on combat
operations near Dak To. His company was savagely attacked by a North Vietnamese
Army battalion firing mortars, rockets and small arms from well-concealed
positions. Specialist Kelley quickly laid down a devastating base of counterfire
which stalled the enemy attack. Several men had been wounded in the initial
enemy barrage, and he took up an exposed position to cover their evacuation.
With bullets striking all around him, he inflicted heavy casualties to the
attackers. Badly outnumbered, his unit was forced to pull back to a more
defensible position. Specialist Kelley elected to remain between his company and
the hostile forces and covered the withdrawal. The North Vietnamese concentrated
their attention and efforts on his position in an attempt to stop his ravaging
fire, and he was wounded by an intense enemy fusillade. With complete disregard
for his safety, he moved back twenty meters and once more set up his machine gun
to repel the enemy attack. Realizing he had become cut off from his company, he
fought furiously against the savage North Vietnamese Army force's assault until
he was mortally wounded. His fearless actions disrupted the momentum of the
enemy attack and prevented numerous casualties to his fellow soldiers.
Specialist Four Kelley's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost
of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service
and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
HQ US
Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1140 (May 15, 1968)
Home Town: Englewood, Colorado
http://www.homeofheroes.com/valor/1_Citations/07_RVN-dsc/dsc_07RVN-armyK.html