[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 80 (Thursday, May 15, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4278-S4279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO LEO KELLY

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, it is always sad when a World War II 
veteran leaves us. These men and women served our country with immense 
courage, skill, and dedication, and came home from war to make immense 
contributions to our society. They have rightly been called ``the 
greatest generation,'' and we mourn the loss of each and every one of 
them.
  On February 18, another member of the ``greatest generation'' died. 
Navy veteran Leo Kelly was 87 and lived in Burlington Township in New 
Jersey with his wife of 58 years, Claire. Leo was the father of six 
daughters and a son, and I came to know him because his daughter Beth 
is married to my nephew Joe Kennedy, a son of Robert Kennedy and a 
former Congressman from Massachusetts in the House of Representatives.
  It is Leo Kelly's extraordinary career in the Navy that I want to 
call to the attention of my colleagues in Congress. Leo Kelly answered 
the Nation's call soon after World War II began. He enlisted in the 
Navy in 1942 at the age of 21 and retired in 1964 with the rank of 
lieutenant commander.
  He became a Navy fighter pilot and earned numerous awards and medals 
for valor and bravery under fire during the war. He served on the USS 
Langley, which was named for the great American scientist and aviation 
pioneer Samuel Pierpont Langley. The ship was on the front lines during 
the critical final years of the war in the Pacific, and the crew as a 
whole was cited in glowing terms by Secretary of the Navy James 
Forrestal for their outstanding heroism in action that contributed so 
much to our Nation's victory.
  Leo Kelly himself was awarded both the Distinguished Flying Cross and 
the Air Medal for his special heroism on January 12, 1945 in an attack 
on Japanese shipping in Camranh Bay in French Indo-China, which is now 
Vietnam. As the citation by President Roosevelt stated.

       Kelly fearlessly dove his plane through a heavy curtain of 
     powerful anti-aircraft fire to score two direct hits with his 
     rockets and contribute to the damaging of an enemy merchant 
     vessel. Then, joining in an attack against a group of hostile 
     seaplanes on the water, he executed a series of strafing runs 
     and, striking furiously at his target, personally destroyed 
     one of the enemy aircraft.

  Courage like that is what made Leo Kelly a true American hero, and 
the Nation owes him a debt we can never fully repay.
  After the war, Leo Kelly continued his career in the Navy for nearly 
two decades. From 1953 to 1955 he was assigned to a Naval ROTC unit in 
Philadelphia and earned his bachelor's degree in political science and 
attended the Navy's postgraduate school. He retired from the Navy in 
1964 and went to work for Tenneco Plastics Company in Burlington, where 
he and Claire raised their wonderful family.
  He had many interests. He was an excellent golfer, and had played for 
various Navy teams early in his career. He loved classical music, 
especially playing the violin. He had a profound faith in God, was a 
member of St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church in Burlington, and had been 
a member of the Bridge Prison Ministry.
  He was also a wonderful family man, as so many members of his family 
said so movingly at the service held for him in February. His daughter 
Beth said it beautifully in her eulogy at the service:

       Our father was a strong, quiet force in our lives, guiding 
     us, always encouraging, smiling or nodding his approval. . . 
     . He always adjusted to whatever came his way. The very 
     qualities that made him excel at being a pilot prepared him 
     for a life with six daughters and one son.

  America is grateful to Leo Kelly for all he did for our country 
during his extraordinary life, and I know that future generations of 
his family will always treasure his memory.
  I ask unanimous consent to have his daughter Beth's eulogy printed in 
the Record, along with the full texts of the World War II citations he 
received.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                 Eulogy by Beth Kennedy for Her Father,

                   World War II Naval Hero Leo Kelly

       [Military Chapel, Wrightstown, New Jersey, Feb. 25, 2008]

       Good afternoon. I'm Beth Kennedy, one of Leo and Claire's 
     many daughters who no one can keep straight. It's as though 
     our names are interchangeable!
       On behalf of my mother and my brother and sisters, I'd like 
     to thank all of you for coming to celebrate our father's life 
     and mourn his passing.
       I just wanted to share a few words before we all leave 
     today. My mother always told me, for as long as I can 
     remember, God will never give you more than you can bear. He 
     will give you the strength to accept His will.
       And for my family, those words were never more true than 
     during the past week as we began a life without our father. 
     We each have our special memories of Dad. Some we remember 
     with lots of laughter, and some we reflect on privately. But 
     all of them are filled with love, and all of them are joined 
     with our mother, who was always by his side, beautiful and 
     smiling. You know, in all the hundreds of photos we sorted 
     through for this occasion, in every single picture our mother 
     was smiling radiantly, as though every moment with her 
     husband--and later, with her children--was a gift. And it was 
     a gift for us, too.
       Mom, you were Dad's co-pilot. The love of his life. You 
     taught us what love and devotion truly are.
       Kathy, you spent so much time helping take care of Dad, 
     always with humor and grace. You were a leader for all of us.
       Michelle, you spoke so beautifully last night about Dad. 
     You took care of so many details of his health care, always 
     with patience and love.
       Nancy, you embraced our parents' spirituality the most, and 
     shared a strong religious bond with Dad.
       Leo, you inherited Dad's quiet strength, and to this day 
     you share your time and energy helping your family and your 
     friends in need, most times without even being asked.
       Teresa, you would always brighten Dad's days with your 
     sparkling optimism and good cheer, along with a little 
     something for his sweet tooth and a visit from Michael.
       Jackie, you could always make Dad smile, and you could 
     always get away with anything. Dad was so happy and proud to 
     finally become a grandfather.
       Our parents gave us so many wonderful memories: trips to 
     the seashore; our family outing to the Poconos; grilling 
     steaks in the backyard at Salem Road; Friday night fish fry 
     dinners at Howard Johnson's. And later in our lives, as our 
     father gave each of us girls away on our wedding days, 
     dancing with the happy bride. And always, always, praying 
     with us for God's blessing. Our parents gave us the highest 
     standard for a strong marriage filled with love and faith.
       Our father was a strong, quiet force in our lives, guiding 
     us, always encouraging--smiling or nodding his approval. I 
     remember the day I moved to Boston after graduating high 
     school. After my teary goodbye to mom, my father drove me to 
     the train station in Trenton. He got me settled in on the 
     train, bags secured, and I took so long saying goodbye to him 
     with tears and prayers--the train took off with both of us on 
     it!! He had to get off at the next stop and wait for a train 
     to take him back to Trenton. I was delighted to have his 
     company for such a nice send-off, but I do recall an 
     inordinate amount of throat-clearing by Dad.
       He always adjusted to whatever came his way. The very 
     qualities that made him excel at being a pilot prepared him 
     for a life with six daughters and one son. I read through 
     Dad's pilot rating book a few nights ago, and I was struck by 
     the consistent comments and descriptions of him: ``smooth, 
     dependable, eager to learn, retains instruction, good 
     coordination in unfavorable weather conditions, good pilot 
     material.''
       Well, Dad, we're all here to say a prayer for you as you 
     join Grandpere and Mamie, Aunt Teen, and all your friends up 
     in Heaven. And as you always said to me at the end of every 
     conversation or phone call--``God bless you good.'' Goodbye, 
     Dad; I love you; God bless you good.
                                  ____


    Citation for the Distinguished Flying Cross Awarded to Leo Kelly

       The President of the United States takes pleasure in 
     presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant 
     Junior Grade Leo

[[Page S4279]]

     Kelly, United States Naval Reserve, for service as set forth 
     in the following citation: For heroism and extraordinary 
     achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in 
     Fighting Squadron Forty-Four, attached to the USS Langley, 
     during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the 
     vicinity of French Indo-China, on January 12, 1945. 
     Participating in a daring strike against enemy shipping and 
     installations, Lieutenant Junior Grade (then Ensign) Kelly 
     fearlessly dove his plane through a heavy curtain of powerful 
     anti-aircraft fire to score two direct hits with his rockets 
     and contribute to the damaging of an enemy merchant vessel. 
     Then, joining in an attack against a group of hostile 
     seaplanes on the water, he executed a series of strafing runs 
     and, striking furiously at his target, personally destroyed 
     one of the enemy aircraft. By his expert airmanship, courage, 
     and devotion to duty in the face of grave danger, Lieutenant 
     Junior Grade Kelly upheld the highest traditions of the 
     United States Naval Service. For the President, [signed] 
     James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy.
                                  ____


            Citation for the Air Medal Awarded to Leo Kelly

       For distinguishing himself by meritorious acts while 
     participating in an aerial flight in an attack on enemy 
     shipping, Camranh Bay, French Indo China on 12 January, 1945. 
     As pilot of a carrier-based fighter plane he dived against 
     enemy anti-aircraft fire to hit an enemy merchant vessel with 
     two rockets. This vessel was left beached. A few minutes 
     later he again dived through anti-aircraft fire to destroy an 
     enemy seaplane on the water. His courage and skill were at 
     all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the 
     United States Naval Service.
                                  ____


 Citation for the Navy Unit Commendation Award to the Aircraft Carrier 
                            USS ``Langley''

       The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending the 
     United States Ship Langley for service as set forth in the 
     following citation: For outstanding heroism in action against 
     the enemy Japanese forces in the air, ashore and afloat in 
     the Pacific War Area from January 29, 1944 to May 11, 1945. 
     Operating continuously in the most forward areas, the USS 
     Langley and her air groups struck crushing blows toward 
     annihilating Japanese fighting power; they provided air cover 
     for our amphibious forces; they fiercely countered the 
     enemy's aerial attacks and destroyed his planes; and they 
     inflicted terrific losses on the Japanese in Fleet and 
     merchant marine units sunk or damaged. Daring and dependable 
     in combat, the Langley with her gallant officers and men 
     rendered loyal service in achieving the ultimate defeat of 
     the Japanese Empire.
       [This citation specifically mentions the following 
     operations of the USS Langley: Marshall Islands, Jan. 29-Feb. 
     23, 1944; Palau, Hollandia and Truk Islands, March 29-April 
     30, 1944; Marianas and Bonins Islands, June 11-Aug. 8, 1944; 
     Philippines, Palau, and Yap Islands, Sept. 6-24, 1944; 
     Ryukyus, Formosa, and Philippines Islands, Oct. 10-Nov. 25, 
     1944; Luzon, Dec. 14-16, 1944; Philippines, Formosa and 
     Ryukyus Islands, and China Sea, Jan. 3-22, 1945; Japan and 
     Bonins Islands, Feb. 16-25, 1945; Japan and Ryukyus Islands, 
     March 18-May 11, 1945.]

            Awards to Leo Kelly for his Service in the Navy

       Distinguished Flying Cross; Air Medal; Navy Unit 
     Commendation Ribbon; Combat Action Ribbon; National Defense 
     Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star; American Campaign Medal; 
     Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars; World War 
     II Victory Medal; Philippine Liberation Medal with 2 Bronze 
     Stars; Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.

                    Service of Leo Kelly in the Navy

       Enlisted in Navy, July 9, 1942 as Seaman Second Class and 
     became Aviation Cadet on Aug. 7, 1942; July 9-Dec. 14, 1942--
     Inactive Naval Reserve; Dec. 15, 1942-Jan. 15, 1944--Active 
     Naval Reserve; January 16, 1944--Promoted to Ensign; June 1, 
     1945--Promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade; July 1, 1955--
     Promoted to Lieutenant Commander; July 1, 1964--Retired.

                          ____________________