Charles E. Kelly (soldier)

Kelly was the third enlisted man to be decorated with the Medal of Honor for action on the European continent, after S/Sgt Maynard H Smith 306th Bomb Group (St Nazaire and Brest May 1, 1943) and Flight Officer (a temporary, non-commissioned warrant rank) John C "Red" Morgan 92nd Bomb Group, Hanover, July 28, 1943.

Prior to his military service, the youthful Charles Kelly had made his living with a street gang in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and frequently got in trouble with the law.

After voluntarily participating in several patrols on that day, near Altavilla, Italy, he helped to defend an ammunition storehouse against attack by German forces.

When withdrawal became necessary, he voluntarily stayed behind and held the German soldiers at bay until everyone had been evacuated from the storehouse, at which time he withdrew and was able to rejoin his unit.

Kelly's official Medal of Honor citation reads: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.

After this hazardous duty he volunteered to establish contact with a battalion of U.S. infantry which was believed to be located on Hill 315, a mile distant.

Kelly, again a volunteer patrol member, assisted materially in the destruction of 2 enemy machinegun nests under conditions requiring great skill and courage.

Kelly delivered continuous aimed and effective fire upon the enemy with his automatic rifle until the weapon locked from overheating.

Kelly's fighting determination and intrepidity in battle exemplify the highest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces.After receiving the Medal, Kelly toured the country with a group of other infantrymen as part of the Army Ground Forces' "Here's Your Infantry," demonstrating various battle techniques and selling war bonds.

He opened a service station on the North Side of Pittsburgh in 1946, but was forced to sell it in 1947 after a downturn in business and a robbery.

[5] In 1952, while traveling across the country campaigning for Dwight D. Eisenhower, Kelly was reintroduced to Betty Gaskin, a young woman he had met while stationed at Fort Knox.

[4] In a 1957 interview with Mike Wallace, Kelly defended Samuel David Hawkins, a Korean War captive who declined repatriation until that year and was called a turncoat.