Background
John Doran Kelly was born July 8, 1928, in Youngstown, Ohio.
John Doran Kelly was born July 8, 1928, in Youngstown, Ohio.
Soon afterwards his family moved to Homestead, Pennsylvania, where he attended grade school and high school. He graduated from high school in 1947, and was attending Arizona State College, prior to entering the United States Marine Corps.
Kelly was mortally wounded during his act of heroism. He gave up college during the Korean War, enlisting in the Marine Corps in August 1951, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Following his initial training at Parris Island, South Carolina, he was transferred to Camp Pendleton for further training prior to joining the 1st Marine Division in of Korea.
Kelly served as a radio operator with Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, before he died.
Kelly is buried at Jefferson Memorial Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His grave can be found in section 20, lot 319.