Charles Livingston Kelly

Major, U.S. Army

Charles Livingston Kelly was born on 10 April 1925, the son of Charlton and Ruth Amelia Moore Kelly.

At age 15, Charles ran off and enlisted in the U.S. Army. This was during WWII and Charles was wounded in action in Europe. After the war, he came home, finished high school, got married, graduated from college and became a high school principal. However, the Army was still in his blood - he had never stopped wanting to be a soldier - so he re-entered the Army as a commissioned officer. He graduated from flight school at Fort Sill, OK, on 2 October 1954.

On 1 July 1964, Major Charles L. Kelly was serving with the 57th Medical Detachment, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, in Vinh Long Province, South Vietnam.

On that day, Maj Kelly died when "he received a mission request from an ARVN unit near Vinh Long. As Kelly came into the landing zone, he came under attack by Viet Cong forces. An American advisor radioed Kelly to get out of the area and his response set the tone for Dust-Off operations for the rest of the war: 'When I have your wounded.' Shortly afterward a round went through the open door window and pierced his heart. His last words were 'My God.' His ship pitched up, nosed to the right, rolled over and crashed." [Excerpt quotation from Chapter 2 of "Dust Off: Army Aeromedical Evacuation in Vietnam" by Peter Dorland and James Nanney] Kelly's body was recovered.

According to the July 2013 edition of the "American Legion Magazine," page 36, Kelly was the 149th casualty of the Vietnam War.

Medals and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
Purple Heart (2 Awards)
Air Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
Army of Occupation Medal (WWII)
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Medical Badge
Combat Infantryman Badge
Senior Army Aviator Badge
Parachutist Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Major (Medical Corps) Charles L. Kelly (ASN: 0-70399), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving as an Aircraft Commander of the 57th Medical Detachment, on 1 July 1964. Major Kelly demonstrated exceptional courage, strong determination, and complete disregard for his own personal safety while participating in an aerial medical mission to evacuate wounded soldiers from an area under heavy attack by hostile forces. With unique professional skill and full knowledge of the intense ground fire and the immediate proximity of the enemy, he landed the unarmed helicopter ambulance close to the wounded men in the exposed area. Although the ground advisor warned him of the grave danger and recommended departure, Major Kelly refused to leave without the wounded soldiers and succeeded in loading them aboard the helicopter moments before he was mortally wounded by hostile gun fire. Major Kelly's extraordinary heroic actions, valiant efforts, and deep concern for his fellow man are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Medical Service, and the armed forces of his community.

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major (Medical Corps) Charles L. Kelly (ASN: 0-70399), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving as an Aircraft Commander of the 57th Medical Detachment, on 19 June 1964. Major Kelly displayed professional skill, fortitude, and determination while participating in an aerial medical mission to evacuate several critically wounded Vietnamese troops. Although his first attempt to land the helicopter ambulance was prevented by intense enemy action, he returned within the hour and succeeded in maneuvering the aircraft into the area. As the small arms, automatic weapons fire, and mortar rounds fell near the aircraft, he exposed himself to the danger while assisting the wounded men on board the helicopter ambulance. When a round of ammunition hit the main fuel drain valve of the aircraft during the evacuation operations, he quickly assessed the situation and, through his decision that the patients on board be flown out immediately for medical treatment, the helicopter landed at a medical facility with a few minutes of fuel to spare. Through his courageous and unselfish actions the wounded men received timely medical aid and many lives were saved. Major Kelly's conspicuous gallantry is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.

Honors

The name Charles L Kelly is located on Panel 01E Line 057 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Major Kelly is buried at Screven County Memorial Cemetery in Sylvania, GA.

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