Paul X. Kelley
{{Short description|American general (1928–2019)}}
{{for|persons of a similar name|Paul Kelly (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox military person
| name = Paul X. Kelley
| image = GEN Kelley, Paul X.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = General Paul Xavier Kelley
| nickname =
| birth_name = Paul Xavier Kelley
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1928|11|11}}
| birth_place = Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2019|12|29|1928|11|11}}
| death_place = McLean, Virginia, U.S.
| placeofburial = Arlington National Cemetery
| allegiance = United States of America
| branch = {{Flag|United States Marine Corps}}
| serviceyears = 1950–1987
| rank = {{Dodseal|USMCO10|25}} General
| unit =
| commands = Commandant of the Marine Corps
Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps
Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force
4th Marine Division
1st Marine Regiment
2nd Battalion, 4th Marines
| battles = Vietnam War
| awards = Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Legion of Merit (3) w/ Combat "V"
Bronze Star Medal (2) w/ Combat "V"
| relations =
| laterwork = Cassidy & Associates
Chairman, American Battle Monuments Commission
}}
Paul Xavier Kelley (November 11, 1928{{spaced ndash}}December 29, 2019) was a United States Marine Corps four-star general who served as the 28th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps from July 1, 1983, to June 30, 1987.
Kelley served 37 years active duty in the Marine Corps. Commissioned through Villanova College's Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1950, his first posting was with Aircraft Engineering Squadron 12 (AES-12) at Marine Corps Air Station Quantico, Virginia. He then served an exchange tour with the Royal Marines, and later joined the Marine Force Reconnaissance community and served with distinction during the Vietnam War. Kelley's final assignments were as Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and then Commandant of the Marine Corps until his retirement in 1987. Following his retirement from the Marine Corps, Kelley served on a number of corporate boards.
Early life
Kelley was born on November 11, 1928, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Albert and Josephine (née Sullivan) Kelley. He was a graduate of The English High School in Boston in 1946. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Villanova University in 1950.{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jTOWv_Xkz7AC&pg=PA17 |chapter=Biographical Sketch of Gen. Paul X. Kelley, USMC |title=Nominations of General Paul X. Kelley, Richard L. Armitage, and Chapman B. Cox |date=1983 |pages=17–18 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |location=Washington, D.C. |access-date=2021-10-25}}
Marine career
Kelley was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in June 1950 through Villanova College's Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program. After graduating from The Basic School in March 1951, he served with the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, as an infantry officer in a wide variety of billets, including his first assignment to Aircraft Engineering Squadron-12 (AES-12) out of Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. In September 1952, he was assigned to the {{USS|Salem|CA-139|6}}, where he served for 20 months, first as executive officer and then as commanding officer of the Marine Detachment on the Salem. While aboard Salem, he qualified as Officer of the Deck (Underway). In December 1953, he was promoted to captain.
From July 1956 to December 1957, Kelley served as the Special Assistant to the Director of Personnel at Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. He then completed the Airborne Pathfinder School at Fort Benning, Georgia. In February 1958, he was assigned to the newly activated 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company, Force Troops, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, Camp Lejeune, when he served as the executive officer and then commanding officer.
From September 1960 to May 1961, Kelley was selected as the United States Marine Corps infantry officer to serve with the British Royal Marines, becoming one of the few foreigners to earn the Royal Marines Commandos' coveted green beret. During this tour, he attended the Commando Course in England, served as Assistant Operations Officer with 45 Commando in Aden, and as Commander "C" Troop, 42 Commando in Singapore, Malaya and Borneo. On March 1, 1961, he was promoted to major. From June 1964 until August 1965, Kelley became Commanding Officer, Marine Barracks, Newport, Rhode Island.
In 1965, Kelley deployed to South Vietnam. He first served as the Combat Intelligence Officer for the 3rd Marine Amphibious Force, FMF, Pacific. Following this assignment, he served as the Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines in combat. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on January 20, 1966. During his tour as battalion commander, he earned the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with Valor device and two awards of the Bronze Star Medal with Valor device. Four years later, from 1970 to 1971, Kelley commanded the 1st Marine Regiment, which was the last Marine regiment in combat in Vietnam. He earned a second Legion of Merit during this deployment.
In 1974, Kelley was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. As a general officer, he served as Commanding General of the 4th Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force; Director, Marine Corps Development Center; Director, Marine Corps Education Center; and Deputy Chief of Staff for Requirements and Programs, Headquarters, United States Marine Corps. In February 1980, Kelley was promoted to lieutenant general and named as the first Commander of the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force.{{cite book|access-date=March 2, 2009|url=https://archive.org/details/unitedstatesmari0000simm_r8b9|url-access=registration|quote=Paul X. Kelley.|title=The United States Marines: A History |page=[https://archive.org/details/unitedstatesmari0000simm_r8b9/page/264 264]|first=Edwin Howard |last=Simmons|publisher=Naval Institute Press|year=2003|isbn=978-1-55750-868-3}} On July 1, 1981, Kelley was promoted to the rank of general, the youngest Marine to have achieved that rank. He then assumed duties as the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and Chief of Staff, Headquarters Marine Corps. On July 1, 1983, Kelley was named Commandant of the Marine Corps, succeeding General Robert H. Barrow.
=Silver Star citation=
Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Paul Xavier Kelley (MCSN: 0-50603), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 21 March 1966, during Operation TEXAS, Lieutenant Colonel Kelley led his Battalion in a helicopter assault on a Viet Cong fortified area in Quang Ngai Province. Debarking from his helicopter into accurate, intense enemy fire, he realized that the landing zone must be enlarged in order to bring in the balance of the Battalion safely. With great professional competence and composure, he maneuvered his Companies into position to attack the enemy, employing all available supporting arms. As a result of his decisive action, all aircraft and personnel landed without sustaining casualties. In the attack phase, with complete disregard for his own safety, Lieutenant Colonel Kelley placed himself in a strategic, exposed position from which he could best control the assault companies and supporting arms. His personal example and bold leadership were a source of inspiration to all who were engaged in the operation. At the conclusion of the vicious three and a half hour battle, Lieutenant Colonel Kelley's Battalion had accounted for 167 Viet Cong killed, many small arms and crew served weapons captured, and tons of supplies destroyed. By his daring leadership, relentless fighting spirit and unswerving dedication to duty throughout, Lieutenant Colonel Kelley upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
=Promotion record=
- June 1950 — commissioned as Second Lieutenant
- April 1952 — First Lieutenant{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jTOWv_Xkz7AC&pg=PA16 |chapter=Resumé of Service Career of Paul X. Kelley, General, U.S. Marine Corps |title=Nominations of General Paul X. Kelley, Richard L. Armitage, and Chapman B. Cox |date=1983 |pages=16–17 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |location=Washington, D.C. |access-date=2021-10-25}}
- December 16, 1953 — Captain
- March 1, 1961 — Major
- January 20, 1966 — Lieutenant Colonel
- April 1, 1970 — Colonel
- August 6, 1974 — Brigadier General
- June 29, 1976 — Major General
- February 4, 1980 — Lieutenant General
- July 1, 1981 — General
Post-Marine Corps career
In 1989, Kelley joined the Washington, D.C. public policy firm Cassidy & Associates; he served as the Vice Chairman Emeritus.{{cite web|url=http://www.cassidy.com/bios/biodetail.asp?Id=20&Office=dc|title=General Paul X. Kelley|work=Staff Bios|publisher=Cassidy and Associates|access-date=2006-11-26 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070302005227/http://www.cassidy.com/bios/biodetail.asp?Id=20&Office=dc |archive-date = 2007-03-02}} From 1989 to 1994, he served as Chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission. Kelley was on the board of directors of a number of corporations, including Allied Signal, Inc., GenCorp, Inc., Saul Centers, Inc., Sturm Ruger & Co., Inc.; and the Wackenhut Corporation.{{cite web|access-date=March 2, 2009|url=https://people.forbes.com/profile/paul-x-kelley/70195|title=Profile: Paul X. Kelley|work=Forbes.com|year=2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226065451/http://people.forbes.com/profile/paul-x-kelley/70195|archive-date=February 26, 2012|url-status=dead}} In December 2006, Kelley chaired a panel of military and business leaders looking to improve the United States's energy security. They recommended tougher emission standards and greater access to offshore United States gas and oil reserves.{{cite web|last = Ivanovich|first = David|title = Leaders urge tougher fuel standards, more offshore access|work = Houston Chronicle|url = http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/4400856.html|date = December 13, 2006}}
On July 26, 2007, the Washington Post published an op-ed by Kelley and Robert F. Turner, in which they warned that the July 20, 2007 executive order issued by President George W. Bush, purporting to define torture and allowable interrogation methods, appeared to violate Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions and thus expose the President and other persons to potential liability for war crimes. On November 9, 2010, he was named an honorable Reagan Fellow from Eureka college.{{cite news|access-date=2007-08-08|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/25/AR2007072501881.html|title=War Crimes and the White House; The Dishonor in a Tortured New 'Interpretation' of the Geneva Conventions|first=P. X. |last=Kelley |author2=Robert F. Turner|date=July 26, 2007|newspaper=The Washington Post |page=A21}} Kelley sat on the Honorary Board for the 501 (c) (3) Non Profit Wine Country Marines.{{Cite web|url=http://www.winecountrymarines.org/board-of-directors.html|title=Wine Country Marines - Board of Directors|website=www.winecountrymarines.org|access-date=2013-09-18|archive-date=2015-02-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209032823/http://www.winecountrymarines.org/board-of-directors.html|url-status=dead}}
Kelley died of complications of Alzheimer's disease at a care facility in McLean, Virginia on December 29, 2019, at the age of 91.{{cite news |last1=Cushman Jr. |first1=John H. |title=Gen. Paul X. Kelley, Top Marine Tested by a Bombing, Dies at 91 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/31/us/gen-paul-x-kelley-dead.html |work=The New York Times |date=December 31, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2019/12/30/28th-marine-commandant-who-led-corps-during-beirut-bombing-tragedy-dies-at-age-91/|title=28th Marine commandant, who led Corps during Beirut bombing tragedy, dies at age 91|first=Todd|last=South|date=December 30, 2019|website=Marine Corps Times}} He was interred in Arlington National Cemetery on February 13, 2020, following a memorial service at the Fort Myer Memorial Chapel.{{cite web |title=Death of General Paul X. Kelley, 28th Commandant of the Marine Corps |url=https://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/2053327/death-of-general-paul-x-kelley-28th-commandant-of-the-marine-corps/ |website=U.S. Marine Corps ALMARS |publisher=United States Marine Corps |access-date=9 January 2020}}
Honors, awards and badges
=Military=
Kelley's decorations, awards, and badges include:
| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|colspan="4"|300px |
| colspan="2" align="right" |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Defense Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|colspan="2" align="left"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|width=106}} |rowspan="7" align="center"|175px |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Silver Star ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}}21px20px20px |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Bronze Star ribbon.svg|width=106}}21px20px
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Joint Service Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Combat Action Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Army of Occupation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=5|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tong-il Security Medel Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Order Ribbon-Second Class.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Vietnamese Gallantry Cross, with palm.svg|width=106}}20px20px |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal ribbon-First Class.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Staff Service Medal ribbon-First Class.svg|width=106}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Training Service Medal ribbon-First Class.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=VNCivilActionsRibbon-2.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg|width=106}} |
| colspan="4"|130px 130px |
- Note: The gold United States Navy Parachute Rigger badge was worn unofficially by Marine Corps personnel in place of United States Army parachutist badge from 1942 to 1963 before it officially became the Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist insignia on July 12, 1963, per BuPers Notice 1020. Members of the Marine Corps who attended jump school before 1963 were issued the silver Army parachutist badge but may be depicted wearing the gold Navy Parachute Rigger badge as it was common during this time period to do so.
=Civilian=
Kelley was awarded honorary doctoral degrees from Villanova University, Norwich University, Webster University, Jacksonville University, and the United States Sports Academy. He was a recipient of the National Geographic Society's Major General O.A. Anderson Award, the Veterans of Foreign Wars' National Armed Forces Award, the American Academy of Achievement's Golden Plate Award presented by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Awards Council member General John W. Vessey, Jr., USA,{{cite web|title= Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement |website=www.achievement.org|publisher=American Academy of Achievement|url= https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/#public-service}} the Navy League's Admiral John M. Will Award, the Ireland Fund's Irishman of the Year for Southern California Award, the Reserve Officers Association's Minuteman Hall of Fame Award, and the Marine Corps Scholarship Fund's Semper Fidelis Award.
Eureka College, alma mater of President Ronald Reagan, named Kelley as its third "Honorary Reagan Fellow" to celebrate his lifetime of service and leadership on November 9, 2010, at the Reagan Building in Washington, D.C. The date was chosen to correspond with the 21st anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{cite web|url=http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Kelley_PX.htm|title=General Paul X. Kelley, USMC|work=Who's Who in Marine Corps History|publisher=History Division, United States Marine Corps|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414233235/http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Kelley_PX.htm|archive-date=April 14, 2012|access-date=March 2, 2009}}
- {{cite web|access-date = 2007-05-25|url= https://slsp.manpower.usmc.mil/GOSA/biographies/rptBiography.asp?PERSON_ID=457&PERSON_TYPE=General|title= Official Biography: General Paul X. Kelley|work= Biographies: General Officers & Senior Executives|date= April 22, 1987|publisher= Manpower & Reserve Affairs, United States Marine Corps|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110430132257/https://slsp.manpower.usmc.mil/GOSA/biographies/rptBiography.asp?PERSON_ID=457&PERSON_TYPE=General|archive-date= April 30, 2011}}
- {{cite web|access-date=2007-05-25|url=http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1983/32483a.htm|title=Nomination of General Paul X. Kelley To Be Commandant of the Marine Corps|date=March 24, 1983|publisher=Ronald Reagan Presidential Library}}
- {{cite news|access-date=2007-08-08|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/25/AR2007072501881.html|title=War Crimes and the White House; The Dishonor in a Tortured New 'Interpretation' of the Geneva Conventions|first=P.X. |last=Kelley |author2=Robert F. Turner|date=July 26, 2007|newspaper=The Washington Post |page=A21}}
- {{cite web | title=Paul X. Kelley | website=Notable Names Database | url=https://www.nndb.com/people/512/000053353/ | ref={{sfnref | NNDB}} | access-date=2019-12-17}}
- [https://www.stripes.com/news/us/gen-p-x-kelley-28th-marine-corps-commandant-dies-at-91-1.612985 Paul X. Kelley's obituary]
- {{C-SPAN|25358}}
{{Commons category|Paul X. Kelley}}
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{{succession box |before = Robert H. Barrow |title = Commandant of the Marine Corps |years = 1983–1987 |after = Alfred M. Gray, Jr.}}
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Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Vietnam War
Category:Assistant Commandants of the United States Marine Corps
Category:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery
Category:Deaths from Alzheimer's disease in Virginia
Category:English High School of Boston alumni
Category:Military personnel from Boston
Category:Recipients of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Category:Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)
Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Order (Vietnam)
Category:American recipients of the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)
Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit
Category:Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Category:Recipients of the Silver Star
Category:United States Marine Corps Commandants