SILVER STAR MEDAL to HOSPITAL CORPSMAN SECOND CLASS JOHN KELSEY UNITED STATES NAVY For service as set forth in the following CITATION: FOR THE
PRESIDENT V. H. KRULAK LIEUTENANT
GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS COMMANDING
GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting
the
For
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Corpsman
with Company L, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division in
connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces
in the Republic of Vietnam. On 3
March 1967, while conducting a search and destroy operation near Cam Lo in
Quang Tri Province Company L received a heavy volume of enemy fire from
concealed Viet Cong positions in a tree line. The initial burst of fire
seriously wounded two Marines who fell in an open area. Instantly reacting to the perilous
situation despite the hostile fire, Hospital Corpsman Kelsey moved from his
position of relative safety to the assistance of the wounded men. While rendering medical aid dangerously
close to the enemy, he observed a hand grenade fall a few meters from the
wounded men. Disregarding his own safety, he unhesitatingly lay across one
of the Marines to protect him from the impending blast. When the grenade exploded, Hospital
Corpsman Kelsey received serious fragmentation wounds. Refusing treatment for his own wounds,
he continued to aid the casualties and assist in moving them to relative
safety. Not until all the wounded had been treated and evacuated did he
submit to medical attention for his own wounds. His heroic actions
prevented further injury of his patient and inspired all who observed
him. By his uncommon courage,
fearless initiative and selfless devotion to duty, Hospital Corpsman Kelsey
upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States
Naval Service.
