PFC Kelley, Kevin P. USMC Bronze Star Medal In the name of the President of the United States, the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific takes pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to PRIVATE FIRST CLASS KEVIN PATRICK KELLY UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For heroic achievement in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam while serving as a Platoon Radio Operator with Company M, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division on 23 February 1967. During Operation Desoto, while Private First Class KELLY's platoon was advancing through intense hostile fire against an enemy hamlet near Duc Pho in Quang Ngai Province, a Marine received a serious chest wound. After the platoon seized the the objective, helicopter evacuation for the wounded Marine was requested. Because there was no adequate landing zone within the hamlet, an adjacent rice paddy was selected even though it was exposed to continuous sniper fire from two nearby hamlets. Utilizing his radio to direct the medical helicopter into the general evacuation area, Private First Class KELLY began marking the zone with smoke grenades. After expending all of his smoke grenades in an unsuccessful attempt to pinpoint the landing area and realizing the serious condition of the wounded Marine, Private First Class KELLY unhesitatingly left his position of relative safety and moved across seventy-five meters of open rice paddies to retrieve a previously position air panel. Exposing himself to continuous enemy fire from two directions he retrieved the air panel and expeditiously moved the landing zone. Disregarding his own safety, he extended the air panel over his head and motioned for the aircraft to land. The helicopter, guided by the air panel, located the zone and landed. Demonstrating exceptional concern for the welfare of his comrade, Private First Class KELLY then assisted in loading the wounded Marine aboard the evacuation aircraft. His bold courage and heroic efforts were an inspiration to all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the wounded Marine's life. Private First Class KELLY's bold initiative, professionalism and selfless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. Private First Class KELLY is authorized to wear the Combat "V". FOR THE PRESIDENT V. H. KRULAK LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS COMMANDING