Ova A. Kelley-Norwood, MO
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 37° 12.714 W 092° 24.156
15S E 553006 N 4118546
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient for action at Leyte, Philippine Islands on December 8, 1944. He was killed in action. He is buried in Oak Grove Baptist Church Yard Cemetery, Norwood, MO.
Waymark Code: WMX1TA
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 11/14/2017
Views: 0
He was born on March 27, 1914 in Norwood, MO and died on December 10, 1944 in Leyte, Philippine Islands. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: *KELLEY, OVA A.
• Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company A, 382d Infantry, 96th Infantry Division
• Place and date: Leyte, Philippine Islands, 8 December 1944
• Entered service at: Norwood, Mo.
• G.O. No.: 89 19 October 1945
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Before dawn, near the edge of the enemy-held Buri airstrip, the company was immobilized by heavy, accurate rifle and machinegun fire from hostile troops entrenched in bomb craters and a ditch less than 100 yards distant. The company commander ordered a mortar concentration which destroyed 1 machinegun but failed to dislodge the main body of the enemy. At this critical moment Pvt. Kelley, on his own initiative, left his shallow foxhole with an armload of hand grenades and began a 1-man assault on the foe. Throwing his missiles with great accuracy, he moved forward, killed or wounded 5 men, and forced the remainder to flee in a disorganized route. He picked up a M-1 rifle and emptied its clip at the running Japanese, killing 3. Discarding this weapon, he took a carbine and killed 3 more of the enemy. Inspired by his example, his comrades followed him in a charge which destroyed the entire enemy force of 34 enlisted men and 2 officers and captured 2 heavy and 1 light machineguns. Pvt. Kelley continued to press the attack on to an airstrip, where sniper fire wounded him so grievously that he died 2 days later. His outstanding courage, aggressiveness, and initiative in the face of grave danger was an inspiration to his entire company and led to the success of the attack.
Armed Service: Army
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