Kelly was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 24, 1898. He enlisted as a private in the United States Marine Corps on May 15, 1917, in Port Royal, South Carolina. On September 5, 1917, he joined the 7th Company, 6th Regiment, at Quantico, Virginia, and on September 12, 1917, he was transferred to the 78th Company. On January 19, 1918, his regiment embarked from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on the and arrived at St. Nazaire, France on February 5, 1918. Private Kelly participated in engagements at Château-Thierry, St. Mihiel, Blanc Mont and the Meuse-Argonne offensive. In the desperate fighting at Blanc Mont Ridge he ran "100 yards in advance of the front line and attacked an enemy machine-gun nest", for which he was awarded both the Army and Navy Medals of Honor. He also participated in the march to the Rhine River and in the occupation of the Koblenz Bridgehead, from November 17, to December 12, 1918. Pvt Kelly was honorably discharged, with character "Excellent" at the Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia on August 14, 1919. The circumstances of Pvt Kelly's Medal of Honor decoration were unique. It was pinned on his chest by General John J. Pershing, Commander-in-Chief, American Expeditionary Forces, while Pvt Kelly was with the Army of Occupation. With him in line, waiting for other decorations were U.S. Army Major Generals Dickman, Muir, Haan and Hines. His foreign decorations include the French Médaille militaire, the French Croix de guerre with bronze palm and bronze star; the Italian Croce al Merito di Guerra and the Montenegrin Medal for Military Bravery. At the time of his death on November 20, 1957, his address was listed as Chicago, Illinois and he is buried at All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, Illinois.
Medal of Honor citations
;Army Medal of Honor Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps, 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces. Place and date: At Blanc Mont Ridge, France; October 3, 1918. Entered service at: Chicago, Illinois. Born: June 24, 1898; Chicago, Illinois. General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 16. Citation: ;Navy Medal of Honor Kelly, John Joseph
Private, U.S. Marine Corps
78th Company, 6th Regiment Citation:
Silver Star citations
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps, 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2nd Division, American Expeditionary Forces. Action Date: September 15, 1918. General Orders: GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 3. Citation:
By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, Private John Joseph Kelly, United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Private Kelly distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Thiaucourt, France, 15 September 1918, in aiding in the capture of an enemy machine gun and four prisoners.
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps, 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2nd Division, American Expeditionary Forces. Action Dates: June 6 – July 10, 1918. General Orders: Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces. Citation:
By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, Private John Joseph Kelly, United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Private Kelly distinguished himself while serving with the 78th Company, Sixth Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Chateau-Thierry, France, 6 June - 10 July 1918..
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps, 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2nd Division, American Expeditionary Forces. Action Dates: September 12 – 16, 1918. General Orders: Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces. Citation:
By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, Private John Joseph Kelly, United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Private Kelly distinguished himself while serving with the 78th Company, Sixth Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at St. Mihiel, France, 12–16 September 1918..
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps, 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2nd Division, American Expeditionary Forces. Action Dates: September 12 – 16, 1918. General Orders: Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces. Citation:
By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, Private John Joseph Kelly, United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Private Kelly distinguished himself while serving with the 78th Company, Sixth Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at St. Mihiel, France, 12–16 September 1918..
