Jack W. Kelso

Leaving shelter to cover fellow Marines’ escape

Jack William Kelso received the Medal of Honor for protecting fellow Marines during the Korean War. Born in Madera, California, on January 23, 1934, he served as a private first class in Company I, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.

On October 2, 1952, enemy troops attacked his outpost at night. After the platoon’s leaders became casualties, Kelso exposed himself to fire while trying to reorganize the defense. Sheltering in a bunker with four Marines, he picked up an enemy grenade and carried it outside, where its explosion wounded him. He then left shelter again to provide covering fire, allowing the others to escape. He was mortally wounded.

Vice President Richard M. Nixon presented Kelso’s posthumous Medal of Honor to his parents in Washington on September 9, 1953. He was buried in Washington Colony Cemetery in Fresno. His award commemorates repeated efforts to protect comrades despite his wounds.

Official Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifleman of Company I, in action against enemy aggressor forces. When both the platoon commander and the platoon sergeant became casualties during the defense of a vital outpost against a numerically superior enemy force attacking at night under cover of intense small-arms, grenade, and mortar fire, Pfc. Kelso bravely exposed himself to the hail of enemy fire in a determined effort to reorganize the unit and to repel the onrushing attackers. Forced to seek cover, along with four other marines, in a nearby bunker which immediately came under attack, he unhesitatingly picked up an enemy grenade which landed in the shelter, rushed out into the open, and hurled it back at the enemy. Although painfully wounded when the grenade exploded as it left his hand, and again forced to seek the protection of the bunker when the hostile fire became more intensified, Pfc. Kelso refused to remain in his position of comparative safety and moved out into the fire-swept area to return the enemy fire, thereby permitting the pinned-down marines in the bunker to escape. Mortally wounded while providing covering fire for his comrades, Pfc. Kelso, by his valiant fighting spirit, aggressive determination, and self-sacrificing efforts in behalf of others, served to inspire all who observed him. His heroic actions sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.