Kevin
Kelly, Mike 3/5 Served with 3rd platoon M Co. 3/5 from September 66-Oct.
67. Operations included DESOTO and UNION. About 10-10:30
a.m. on May 1, 1967, I was shot while on an operation. I was carrying
a radio for Lt. Johnson
of the 3rd Platoon. Around 11 a.m. I was picked up with
some other Marines and medevaced to a field hospital where they
removed the bullet and tended to me and others.
Just
after dark, two helicopters came to take us to the hospital ship,
the USS Sanctuary. The helicopter I was on was equipped to hold
stretchers, and was loaded with all Marines on stretchers. The
other helicopter took Marines on stretchers, and also those who
could walk. A
short while after we took off, I saw tracers going up and our
window gunners firing down. I also saw the muzzle flashes from
the gunner on the other chopper, so I know they also received
fire. This lasted only a short time.
We
continued out over the ocean to the Sanctuary. The helicopter
I was on landed on the Sanctuary first. While we were being unloaded,
the other helicopter circled. Before the helicopter I was on took
off, the other one crashed into the sea. A few days later,
some of those from that helicopter were recovered from the ocean
by sailors from the Sanctuary. I believe that it was due to enemy
fire. Kevin Kelly
Address
while in Vietnam
(click to enlarge)
John
"Rat" Robbins, Pete Dye, Chuck Cummings, Kevin Kelly
(click to enlarge)
I
met Chuck Cummings for the first time on March 22, 1966, the day
we were sworn in to the USMC. For the next 2 years we were side
by side from Parris Island to Camp Lejuene, to Camp Pendleton
to Oky, to Mike 3/5. After I was shot on May 1, and went to the
USS Sanctuary, Chuck was in the next bed a few days later. Our
entire time in the Marine Corps, we were together. We drove home
from Camp Lejuene after discharged together in my car. He was
a great fighter, and a great Marine. We have kept in touch over
the last 34 years.
Bronze
Star Citation for actions during Operation DESOTO
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At
the bottom of the citation it is signed originally by General
Krulak, later his son became the commandant of the Marine Corps.
A friend of mine was picking up the son, the commandant, at the
Philadelphia Airport and I gave him my citation. He signed it
and made that notation. I am very proud to have that.
(click to enlarge)
I
was sent back to M/3/5 in September '67 until my tour was over October
13th. I operated the radio. The Marine I trained to take my
place, Michael Callahan, was killed in November '67.
Kevin and Merry Kelly
Fall 2001
