The
Congressional Medal of Honor
Is Awarded to
Thomas G. Kelley
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Organization: U.S. Navy, River Assault Division 152
Place: Ong Muong Canal, Kien Hoa province, Republic of Vietnam
Date: 15 June 1969
Entered service at: Boston, Massachusetts
Born: 13 May 1939, Boston, Massachusetts
Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty in the afternoon while serving as commander of
River Assault Division 152 during combat operations against enemy aggressor
forces. Lieutenant Commander (then Lt.) Kelley was in charge of a column of
8 river assault craft which were extracting 1 company of U.S. Army infantry
troops on the east bank of the Ong Muong Canal in Kien Hoa province, when 1
of the armored troop carriers reported a mechanical failure of a loading
ramp. At approximately the same time, Viet Cong forces opened fire from the
opposite bank of the canal. After issuing orders for the crippled troop
carrier to raise its ramp manually, and for the remaining boats to form a
protective cordon around the disabled craft, Lieutenant Commander Kelley
realizing the extreme danger to his column and its inability to clear the
ambush site until the crippled unit was repaired, boldly maneuvered the
monitor in which he was embarked to the exposed side of the protective cordon
in direct line with the enemy's fire, and ordered the monitor to commence
firing. Suddenly, an enemy rocket scored a direct hit on the coxswain's flat,
the shell penetrating the thick armor plate, and the explosion spraying
shrapnel in all directions. Sustaining serious head wounds from the blast,
which hurled him to the deck of the monitor, Lieutenant Commander Kelley
disregarded his severe injuries and attempted to continue directing the other
boats. Although unable to move from the deck or to speak clearly into the
radio, he succeeded in relaying his commands through 1 of his men until the
enemy attack was silenced and the boats were able to move to an area of
safety. Lieutenant Commander Kelley's brilliant leadership, bold initiative,
and resolute determination served to inspire his men and provide the impetus
needed to carry out the mission after he was medically evacuated by
helicopter. His extraordinary courage under fire, and his selfless devotion
to duty sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.