June 14th marks 228 years of service to this great country of ours for the United States Army. Since its inception on June 14, 1775- just over a year before the Declaration of Independence- the Army has played an important role in the development of our nation. From gaining the Republic’s independence to protecting Americans against terrorist attacks at home and abroad, the Army has unhesitatingly answered the call to ensure the sanctity of our freedoms. The 174 campaign streamers attached to the staff of the Army Flag are evidence of the Army’s commitment to our nation, each representing the sacrifices made by America’s sons and daughters to defend the Constitution from all enemies, both foreign and domestic.
For 228 years, regardless of the political climate, the soldiers of the United States Army have devoted themselves to the duty of serving America. Soldiers like Corporal (Cpl) John D. Kelly. Cpl Kelly joined the Army in February of 1942, just months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was born and raised in Venango Township, PA and had never left the country until June, 1944 when he found himself pinned down by heavy machinegun fire on a beach in Normandy, France.
Cpl Kelly volunteered to take out the enemy position. Arming himself with a pole charge 10-feet in length and 15 pounds of explosives, he started climbing up the steep slope towards the deadly pillbox. Weathering an incessant barrage of machinegun fire, Kelly methodically made his way to the base of the stronghold and emplaced the charges. The resulting explosion was ineffective, however. Cpl Kelly again, unhesitatingly braved the slope to repeat the operation.
Cpl Kelly, with the soldiers of Easy Company, 314th Infantry anxiously looking on, took two hits from German machinegun fire in his leg and shoulder as he deftly scaled the side of the hill. Undeterred, he continued to work his way to the high ground, again placing the charges at the base of the enemy pillbox. This time the blast took out the deadly weapons.
Cpl Kelly wasn’t done. In spite of his wounds, Kelly climbed the steep slope a third time dragging yet another 10-feet long pole and 15 pounds of charges with him, this time to the rear of the gun emplacement. After blowing a steel door off its hinges, Cpl Kelly hurled several hand grenades into the fighting position killing three of the enemy and forcing the survivors to come out and surrender. Immediately, his unit joined him on the crest of the slope and a weary Cpl Kelly collapsed from exhaustion and loss of blood. He was evacuated to a field hospital where he later died from gunshot and shrapnel wounds.
The gallantry, bravery, tenacity, and utter disregard for personal safety displayed by Cpl Kelly were an incentive to his comrades and worthy of emulation by all who serve in the Army. Cpl John D. Kelly was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty,” posthumously.
Throughout the Army’s 228-year history, stories like that of Cpl Kelly’s demonstrate the patriotism and valor exhibited by our soldiers, not for profit nor for pleasure, but for Duty, Honor, and Country. Happy Birthday United States Army- This We’ll Defend. Sgt Hook out.
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