Joe Franklin Kelley
Hospitalman
H&S CO, 3RD BN, 7TH MARINES, 1ST MARDIV, III MAF
United States Navy
Applegate, California
September 09, 1947 to January 28, 1967
JOE F KELLEY is on the Wall at Panel 14E, Line 92

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Combat Action Ribbon
 
Joe F Kelley
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27 May 2003

To my brothers in arms, and especially my friends HN Joe F. Kelley, HM3 William Broad , and Cpl Bobbie Ratliff . I think of you all even though it has been 38 years. I remember seeing Joe and Bill in body bags on that fateful day on Operation DeSoto, my heart went numb and has been so since that day. Only the death of Mills Miller created a greater void in my life. I was in the Philippines when I read of the death of Bobbie, and again I wondered why I made it out alive. I wish you all were here with me, to laugh and retell the stories of by-gone days. I will join you someday, keep a rubber lady on a cot for me...

Doc Riddle



21 Jan 2004

Almost another year and I am still here and you are there. I look forward to the day when we will be taking care of Marines together again ... Doc Riddle



17 Mar 2006

Joe, I miss you every day. I will see you soon. I met with your nephew Kevin a couple of years ago, and what a fine young man he is. We had a couple of beers and some grub in Meridian. Until we meet again.... Doc

"Doc" Riddle



28 Dec 2007

Joe, I have finally located your final resting place, thanks to Vic and to your nephew Kevin. I will be there at the end of January to say good bye. Keep a close eye on my brothers who are there with you, I will join you someday ... Doc

From a comrade in arms and brother,
Alan Riddle



24 Jan 2008

Joe, I will visit your grave on the anniversary of that day in Tan Tu.

I will visit the baseball field that I was told is named after you, and I will take pictures to take back to the reunion of Brothers. What more can I say, take care of the Marines guarding the gates of Heaven... Doc Riddle

From a comrade in arms,
Alan Riddle
condoc@hctc.com


 
27 Feb 2005

My sincere thanks to Doc Riddle for his service and contributions
to this memorial.

From Joe's nephew,
Kevin Kelley
E-mail address is not available.


 

Notes from The Virtual Wall

Hospital Corpsman Joe Kelley was one of six men from Mike 3/7 Marines who died on 28 Jan 1967 in a fight at the hamlet of Tan Tu:
  • SSgt Fred L. Pedersen, Azusa, CA
  • Sgt Russell M. Wagner, Vallejo, CA
  • HM3 William R. Broad, Tulsa, OK (Silver Star)
  • Cpl Jackya K. Grant, Chicago, IL
  • Cpl Pedro A. Swenson, Willow Grove, PA
  • HN Joe F. Kelley, Applegate, CA
The two Corpsmen, HM3 Broad and HN Kelley, were formally assigned to H&S Company, 3/7, but were in the field with Mike Company. Petty Officer Broad received the Silver Star, America's third highest award for valor in combat, for the actions which led to his death.

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"You guys are the Marine's doctors -
There's none better in the business than a Navy Corpsman ..."
-- Lieutenant General "Chesty" Puller --

Visit John Dennison's
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memorial which honors the
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