Sergeant Kellison was an assistant platoon leader from Company B, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. On 27 July 1951, Company B was pinned down by enemy fire while attacking a hill near Taeusan, North Korea. He directed a squad to flank the enemy position, while he exposed himself to enemy fire to divert attention to himself. He was fatally wounded but enabled Company B to achieve its objective.

For his leadership and valor, Sergeant Kellison was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.