Thank You For Your Services
He enlisted in the Marines, deployed to Korea, earned the Silver Star, and on October 2, 1952, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor . . . and he was only 18.
Born on January 23, 1934, in Madera, California, Jack W. Kelso grew up on his family’s farm, graduated from high school and in 1952, at the age of 17, joined the Marines.
Determined to serve his country, he completed basic training and was sent to Korea with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. By August 1952, he was fighting at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
On August 13th, with his unit hit by a massive Chinese force, Private First Class Kelso jumped up, ran into a hail of bullets and shrapnel, and over the course of a 24-hour period delivered “urgently needed ammunition and supplies” to his company and rescued numerous wounded Marines.
For his “resourceful initiative, marked fortitude, and unyielding devotion to duty that inspired all those around him” PFC Kelso was awarded the Silver Star.
But the young hard charger wasn’t finished.
Less than two months later, on October 2, 1952, his unit was again hit by hundreds of Chinese. With machine gun, grenade, and mortar fire erupting all around him and his fellow Marines getting killed and blown apart, Kelso, determined to hold the American line, fired into the communist attackers, rallied his platoon, and helped slow the assault.
When an enemy grenade suddenly landed near him and four buddies, Kelso, in total disregard for his own safety, grabbed the device, “rushed out into the open, and hurled it back at the enemy.”
Exploding in mid-air, the grenade sent shrapnel tearing into his hand and arm. Now dazed, covered in blood, and running low on ammo, Kelso yelled for the four Marines to retreat, while he continued to fire into the mass of Chinese soldiers.
Seconds later, the 18-year-old Californian, known for his warm smile, boyish looks, and can-do attitude, was killed in hail of enemy fire.
For his “valiant fighting spirit, aggressive determination and self-sacrificing efforts in behalf of others,” PFC Jack Kelso was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Postscript:
Jack Kelso – just a teenager when he died for his country, Corps, and buddies – never returned home, never married or had kids, and never enjoyed growing old with his family and friends. He is rarely mentioned in history books, isn’t taught in school, and has no ships, military installations or buildings named for him.
His brief life, however, will never be forgotten and will live on whenever he is honored by his fellow Americans.
Lest we forget. Freedom isn’t Free.
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