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Silver Star: Half Century Later
October 4, 2018 Grunt.com Admin

Silver Star: Half Century Later

I just read in The Purple Heart magazine that a Marine Vietnam Vet had received a Silver Star for action while serving with “D” Co. 1st Bat.3rd Marines He was given the award at a ceremony hosted by the National Museum of The Marine Corps. The award was presented to L/Cpl Raymond Kelley on 18-May-2018 exactly 51 years after the action. On 18-May-1967 Kelley was a machine gun team leader when his unit was tasked with to provide relief to a pinned down unit. His team began to receive heavy fire and took multiple casualties. Disregarding his own safety he repeatedly placed himself in the open to assist the wounded Marines and help them to the platoon command post where they could receive medical attention and while ignoring his own wounds continued to fight until the enemy disengaged. It did not say where this took place maybe someone reading this has more detail. Anyway, congrats LCpl Kelley wherever you are and, as always well done and SEMPER FI!!

Harry

Filed in: Marine Corps Stories
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Comments

Ray Kelley - April 28, 2020

Murray….I was put in for the Silver Star on 18 May 1967. One of the reasons I received the award is my Battalion Commander Col. Wickwire wrote to Headquarters Marine Corps and explained to them that were were constantly in the field during those months and the paper work was lost. If it wasn’t for my former Platoon Commander Capt. Spear and his wife, I’d have never gotten the award. They pursued this for over 15 years. My two witnesses Dave “Beak” Brooks and Bill “Willie” Peters both passed away while we were going through this procedure. The Operation was Hickory/Beau Charger. Also, Thank you Harry for recognizing me…..Semper Fidelis….Ray “Machine Gun” Kelley

Murray Hermanson - April 28, 2020

If you look in the records of Delt company 1/3 it states the name of the operation and when it started on 18th of May that’s where I got the information. If you were with him why didn’t they you put him in for the medal back then?

Sgt.T.A.Nollmann,USMC/Ret. - April 28, 2020

Kelly was on operation Beaver Cage,wqhen hewon the Silver Star,we strted the op on 5 May 67.I as a L/Cpl at the time with Delta 1/3 Kelly was and still is a friend.We even spent time in the same squad together.Kelly was a hard charger.

Harry - April 28, 2020

I can also be a little slow on the thought process! Harry

Murray Hermanson - April 28, 2020

I was just joking, I don’t get out much either and when I do I talk the persons ear off and they can’t wait to get away from me.. This web site is one of my main go to’s for something to do. I am far from being called a nerd, I wish I wasn’t. I could use a few more smarts.

Harry - April 28, 2020

No I don’t run the site I just check it daily. I’m such a nerd and don’t get out much.I was 1371 with 7th Engrs. 4-Apr-68–22-Apr-69 Harry

Murray Hermanson - April 28, 2020

DMZ, Operation Beau Charge. in the DMZ. Harry as usual your first on. It’s only Thursday. Do you run this site? Fellow 1371 or was it you were with 2/9? anyways that’s were it happened. I was on Hickory with H 2/9 just a few meters South of the DMZ at the same time. Vietnam Dec 66 to Aug68 and back in May69 to Aug 69, with 1/9 2/9 3/9 2/26 and others.

Harry - April 28, 2020

I feel a bit re-missed that I did not include another Marine who also received the same award,also 51 years after the action.1st Lt. Philip H. Sauer also received the Silver Star for action on 24-Apr-1967 at Hill 861.The Lt. was KIA that day. His surviving siblings accepted the medal at a ceremony at Camp Pendleton on 24-Apr-2018 I also just read that the 300th Marine will be receiving The Medal Of Honor this month( 17-Oct.) at the White House Another Vietnam Vet.Retired Sgt.Major John L. Canley (At the time of the action Gunny Sgt.”A” Co 1/1) Action was during the Battle Of Hue during 68′ Tet. The award is an upgrade from Navy Cross already received.You can read the complete story at Military.com.Once again WELL DONE MARINES!! SEMPER FI!! Harry

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