This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Sheila Rae Myers, HM3
to remember
Kelly, Francis W, CAPT.
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Corktown, PA
Last Address Oceanside, CA
Date of Passing Jan 09, 1982
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
The two facts that stand out about Captain Kelly is that he is considered the most decorated chaplain of WWII and his story appears in the book and the movie "Guadalcanal Diariy".
Although he was an ordained priest who was loved by the congrgations of the various churches he led, he is best know for his military service.
Captain Kelly was born in Pennsylvania in 1910 and later ordained in 1937. He served as assistant pastor of various churches before he enlisted in the Navy in February 1942. He served with the U.S. Navy and Marines as a chaplain.
As a Navy chaplain served in both World War II and the Korean War. In World War II, he shared foxholes with Marines on Guadalcanal and other islands in the Pacific. He participated in the landings at Guadalcanal and Tarawa and most of the major battles of the Solomon Islands. He earned the nickname "Father Foxhole Kelly" because he spent most of his time in the foxholes with the Marines. He was portrayed by actor Preston Foster in the film version of the book "Guadalcanal Diary".
He was discharged from the Navy in 1946 and served four years as assistant of St. Robert's Roman Catholic Church in Chester. He also served for a short duration at St. Helena's Church in Philadelphia.
In 1950, he requested permission to reenlist in the Navy during the Korean War. He served again as Navy Chaplain from 1950 until his discharge in 1969.
Other Comments:
Legion of Merit
For duty during the Battle of Tarawa
Chaplain Kelly with great energy and devotion to duty did much to aid and abet morale of the personnel of his unit prior to the actual landing. During the actual battle and even before the beachhead was cleared of enemy activity, he had begun work on the first cemetery for Marine dead. For three days and nights, almost without rest and always at personal risk, he efficiently carried out the tedious task of clearing the battlefields of our many dead. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Navy.
The information contained in this profile was compiled from various iinternet sources.
