My name is Sherryl and my father was in the 91st Infantry. 316th Engineer Combat Battalion. I have his copy of the book, The 91st Infantry Division in WWII by Robbins and also have miscellaneous photographs that were taken during their journey.
Elton Kelly left college at U.S.C. Berkley to join the U. S. Army on December 29, 1942. He became part of the 91st Infantry, 316st's 3rd Battalion, and saw action from Africa through Europe (Rome-Arno, North Apennines, and Po Valley). He was part of the liberation of Vincenza, Italy in the Po Valley on April 29th. He was awarded the Soldier's Medal for his actions. After Task Force George had secured the crossing over the Brenta, the 361st crossed the river. There were a large number of exploded butterfly bombs complicating the crossing. Working rapidly and with unhesitating courage, members of the 316th Engineer Battalion cleared the crossing site of the bombs by pulling them with long ropes until they exploded.
After being honorably discharged from the Army, Elton worked as a Civil Servant at Eglin Air Force Base before being recalled to active duty on 5 October 1952. He served in the U.S. Air Force until retiring December 1967.
Well, I know I've not been hanging around the site much, but I've been pretty busy. I had assumed that after my job as HQ Company Commander (they still have my picture up as of now) they would ease me into something else that wouldn't take so much time as I wind out my time before retirement, but that was not to be. I have been made the Operations Officer for the HQ&SVC Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico. As such, I have been running on all engines since I took over in March. Also, the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon is coming up (20 May) in Fredericksburg, VA and the Battalion runs that so that means that I run that! Fortunately, I will be running it with a great Ops Chief and 350ish other Marines, but it does keep me busy. Soon, however, I will be replaced with a guy who is sticking around longer (I was just the Band-Aid to get the Battalion through the Marathon). So hopefully, I can start winding down and work on getting a new job, because. . . .
I retire on November 29th! That's actually my terminal leave day and my official end of service is 1 Feb. That will make for 24 years in the Marine Corps. Hard to believe it will be coming to an end.
Anyway, I just wanted to check in because it had been a while and I wanted to share that news. I'll write more later, but I gotta go!
