Thomas J. Kelly

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Thomas J. Kelly (0-1301159), Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, *** Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, on the night of ** November 1943, in the vicinity of *****, Italy. Lieutenant Kelly, Communications Officer of the Third Battalion, was following the ration carrying party of the forward units of the Battalion in order to supply wire for a possible advance. When the party reached a point in a heavily mined area where engineers had been stopped temporarily because of loss of men and equipment due to personnel mines, Lieutenant Kelly personally reconnoitered a trail through the minefield. With utter disregard for his own personal safety, and although hindered by darkness, Lieutenant Kelly disarmed six of the dangerous enemy mines. His quick action greatly facilitated the opening of the supply route to our forward units. Lieutenant Kelly’s conduct and courage in the face of grave danger was an inspiration to the men under his command and a credit to the Armed Forces of the United States.