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★Victoria Cross

A comprehensive archive of decorated military heroes from Commonwealth, American, and allied traditions, ranked by the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25). Honouring valour through history.

USM-25.2Scoring Standard

Scored under the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25)

Thomas Kelly (Medal of Honor, 1898) — Victoria Cross

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Service Profile

Branch: U.S. Army
Rank: Sergeant First Class
Service Era: Spanish-American War
Medals Recorded: 2

Thomas Kelly (Medal of Honor, 1898)

Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

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Spanish-American War

Awards & Decorations

Medal of Honor 1896–1903 Army
Spanish Campaign Medal

Ribbon Rack

Biography

Helping evacuate wounded men at Santiago

Thomas Kelly earned the Medal of Honor at Santiago de Cuba on July 1, 1898. A private in Company H, 21st U.S. Infantry, he helped rescue wounded soldiers from in front of American lines while under heavy enemy fire during the Spanish-American War.

Born in Ireland, Kelly was accredited to New York for the award. His Medal of Honor was presented on June 22, 1899. The official citation recognizes his rescue work without identifying the individual casualties.

Kelly died on December 17, 1920, and is buried at Post Barracks Cemetery in Plattsburg, New York.

Medal of Honor citation

Gallantly assisted in the rescue of the wounded from in front of the lines and while under heavy fire from the enemy.

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