Eugene Kelly

Birthplace: Rural Downs, Kansas

Branch of Service: Navy

Theater of Operation: European

Enlisted / Commissioned: Nov 27, 1943

Discharged: Apr 14, 1946

Honored By: Son, Howard W. Kelly; Daughters, Carol Jean Urie and Linda Garman; Grandchildren

I participated in three major invasions; Normandy, Southern France, and Okinawa. I ran a LCM (landing craft) that carried troops to the shore during these invasions. It was a daunting job. The ship was hit by a Kamikaze plane off the coast of Okinawa during the invasion and my best friend was killed standing right beside me at the time. During my service, I had Basic Training at Farragut, ID; crossed the Atlantic on USS LST 515; USNAATSB at St. Mawes, England; USNAAB at Southampton, Hants; and the troop ship USS Achernar/AKA53. I also received the WWII victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars, Atlantic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Star, and the Philippine Liberation Campaign Ribbon and held the following rates: Apprentice Seaman, Seaman Second Class, Seaman First Class, and Coxin. I was Honoraly Discharged at the US Naval Personnel Separation Center, Norman, Oklahoma by D. Carlson, Captain, US Navy Commanding 2128. My discharge payment was $68.64, travel allowance was $19.50, and initial mustering out pay was $100.00. That was pretty fair money for that time. I returned home to Kansas and the farm. I married, raised 3 children on the family farm in Courtland, Kansas where I still reside. My son Howard served in the US Navy (a Vietnam Veteran) as well as my grandson Wayne Flewelling (a Desert Storm Veteran).