Robert Bolling Kelly

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Robert Bolling Kelly, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer, Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron THREE (MTB-3), Motor Torpedo Boat THIRTY-FOUR (PT-34), in action against enemy forces on 8 and 9 April 1942, in the vicinity of Cebu, Philippine Islands. Lieutenant Kelly’s outstanding accomplishments, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Robert Bolling Kelly, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while Commanding Motor Torpedo Boat THIRTY-FOUR (PT-34), on the night of 8 – 9 April 1942, while operating in the waters of the Philippine Islands. While illuminated, Lieutenant Kelly made joint attack with PT-41 on a Japanese Kuma class light cruiser screened by four enemy destroyers, under extremely heavy shell fire from her main and secondary batteries and closed to within 300 yards where he struck her with two torpedoes in her engine rooms, which resulted in final sinking. Again in the morning of 9 April 1942, when attacked by four enemy dive bombers in a narrow channel of Cebu Harbor, Lieutenant Kelly though having a hole blown in his boat six-feet across, and with three of his guns out of action, skillfully maneuvered his boat and avoided direct hits on his boat. He fought back with his remaining guns until five of his crew of six were killed or wounded and then when all guns were out of action, he beached his boat to save the wounded. He directed the removal of the wounded and dead from his vessel under continual strafing from the enemy to a place of safety. The exceptional bravery, aggressive leadership, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Kelly were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.