Francis Kelly (Medal of Honor)

Francis Kelly was a United States Army soldier who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II.

Kelly was born on August 12, 1917, in Strahan Township, Iowa. He enlisted in the Army in 1942.

He received the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism on September 5, 1944, near Altavilla, Italy. While serving as a platoon guide with Company K, 142nd Infantry, 36th Infantry Division, his platoon was pinned down by intense enemy fire. Kelly single-handedly charged two German machine gun nests, destroying them both with hand grenades and rifle fire, enabling his platoon to continue its advance. He then led his platoon in an assault on a fortified position, personally accounting for several more enemy casualties.

Kelly's Medal of Honor citation reads:

For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy near Altavilla, Italy, on 5 September 1944. When his platoon was pinned down by fire from enemy machinegun emplacements, Pfc. Kelly charged alone and silenced 1 gun with a grenade, killing the crew. He then reorganized the platoon and led it to a point within 100 yards of a second emplacement, where he killed 3 of the enemy in a close-in fight. Later, single-handed, he routed the enemy from a third emplacement, capturing 15 prisoners. His gallantry and intrepidity enabled his company to break the enemy line.

Kelly was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.

After the war, Kelly returned to Iowa and worked as a farmer. He died on May 8, 1996, and is buried in the St. Joseph Cemetery in Bode, Iowa.