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- [S1320] Genealogy Trails, Genealogy Trails, (http://genealogytrails.com/ : 2010), accessed Aug 14, 2015), Obituary for James Raymond Kelly III (Reliability: 3), 14 Aug 2015.
Sacramento County, California
Vietnam Obituaries
KELLY, JAMES RAYMOND III
2nd Highest Honor Goes To Marine Killed In War
Marine Cpl. James R. Kelly III, son of Mr. and Mrs. James R. Kelly, Jr., of 5400 Lawrence Drive, yesterday was awarded posthumously the Navy Cross, the nation's second highest award for gallantry in combat. Kelly was killed March 24, 1967, in South Vietnam. The award was made to Kelly's widow, Mrs. Mae Kelly of 3420 Spring St., Redwood City, and his father, by Sacramento Assemblyman Walter W. Powers in a ceremony at the Marine Corps Reserve Training Center, 2640 Front St. Cpl. Kelly's other medals also were presented to his widow. They are: Purple Heart with gold star instead of a second Purple Heart; National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Leaf, and the Medal of Merit. The presidential citation describing Kelly's act says that as Kelly's platoon entered the village of An Hoa, it came under heavy fire. "With complete disregard for his own safety and full knowledge of the hazards involved, Corporal Kelly assaulted an enemy bunker single handedly and destroyed it," says the citation. Cpl. Kelly received fatal wounds in beating off an attack by six enemy soldiers, killing three of them. The citation says his "extraordinary heroism" and "daring display of courage" enabled his platoon's mission to succeed. [Sacramento Bee, Monday, 1-8-1968. Submitted by K. Marynik]
Three Capital Men Are Casualties Of Action In Viet War
Three Sacramento servicemen were among 101 Americans killed in action last week in Vietnam, the Defense Department announced. They are Marine Cpl. James R. Kelly III, 22, of 5400 Lawrence Drive; Army Pfc. Blair B. Dennis, 22, of 6435 Orange Ave., and Army Sgt. Timothy X. Murphy, 21, of 2410 17th Street.
Kelly, a member of the 3rd Marine Division, was killed Friday in action near Quang Tri, 15 miles from the demilitarized zone in the northern part of South Vietnam, according to word received by his wife, Mrs. Mae Kelly, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James R. Kelly Jr. He has a 9-month-year-old son, James F. Kelly enlisted in the Marine reserves when he was a senior at the Sacramento High School in 1963 and went on active duty immediately upon graduation. He had been in Vietnam since October. He was on the track team in high school. A native of Sacramento, Kelly also attended the Joaquin Miller Junior High School. His father is a meat cutter for Raley's Market in Broderick. In addition to his parents and his son and wife, the former Mae Littlefield, Kelly is survived by sisters, Mrs. Kathleen Cole of San Jose and Margaret; brothers, Cpl. Douglas Kelly, serving in the Army at Fort Polk, LA, Patrick and Timothy; and his grandparents, James R. Kelly of Redding and T. R. Livingstone of Sacramento. Arrangements for his funeral are pending in the Andrews and Greilich Funeral Home.
Dennis, a rifleman in the 4th Division, was killed Wednesday in combat in the Tuy Hoa area. His mother, Mrs. Francis L. Dennis, employed by the Bert McDowell Co., wholesale grocer dirm, was notified Friday. Dennis enlisted in the Army in July 1965 and was stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA, before he went to Vietnam last September. A resident of Sacramento since early childhood, he attended the Peter Lassen Junior High Scholl and the Sacramento High School. He was employed by the S. H. Kress Co. department store before his enlistment. He was an ardent hunter and fisherman. A native of Baker, OR, Dennis also is survived by his father, LaVaughn of Baker; a sister, Mrs. Susan Jet of Merced; and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Francis M. Brown of 6435 Orange Avenue.
Sgt. Murphy, 21, a former Bishop Armstrong High School basketball and track athlete, was killed in action in Vietnam Wednesday. His wife, Caroline, was notified by Army authorities that he died while engaged in a firefight with the enemy. He was serving with the 4th Infantry Division, 2nd Brigade, near the Cambodian border in Vietnam. Murphy, a native of Sacramento, was a 1963 graduate of Bishop Armstrong High School. He also attended Sacramento City College. He was employed by the Sacramento Blueprint Co. before his induction into the Army in November 1965. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Donald X. Murphy of Sacramento; a brother, Joseph; ;his grandmother, Mrs. Amelia Fraga; and several nieces, nephews, and uncles. A Requiem Mass will be offered at 10 AM Thursday in the St. Elizabeth's Church. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. A Rosary will be recited at 8 PM tomorrow in the New N. G. Culjis and Son Chapel of the Valley. [Sacramento Bee, 3-28-1967. Submitted by K. Marynik]
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- Yes, date unknown
, d. 24 Mar 1967, South Vietnam 