Francis Kelly (July 5, 1859 – May 19, 1938) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Spanish–American War.

Kelly was one of eight volunteer crew members when Rear Admiral William T. Sampson ordered Merrimac sunk to block the entrance of Santiago Harbor, Cuba.

On the night of 2-June 3, 1898, during the attempt to execute this mission, Merrimac's steering gear was disabled by enemy gunfire, and she sank without obstructing navigation.

He returned home to Glasgow, and died there in 1938, his death certificate states "Archibald Houston (formerly Francis Kelly), US naval pensioner".

Despite heavy fire from the Spanish batteries, KELLY displayed extraordinary heroism throughout this operation.“Statutory Deaths 1855–2018,” database and images, ScotlandsPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk : accessed 22 July 2011), image, death registration, Archibald Houston, died 19 May 1838, District of College, County of Lanark; citing Statutory Registers no.