The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, PFC Willis Ernest Kelly, RA25193757, who died in the service of his country on February 3rd, 1951 in South Korea. The cause of death was listed as KIA. At the time of his death Willis was 19 years of age. He was from Central, South Carolina. Willis' Military Occupation Specialty was 4745-Light Weapons Infantryman.

The decorations earned by PFC Willis Ernest Kelly include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Korea Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

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Private First Class Kelly was a member of the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in South Korea on February 3, 1951. Private First Class Kelly was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantrymans Badge,the Silver Star, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

Willis Ernest Kelly was my uncle. I was named after him - Willis Alvin Kelly. Willis E. Kelly was one of 9 sons born to Marvin Kelly and Lexia Smith Kelly in Central, SC. He had one sister. There are 4 brothers still living in Central, SC. They are R. G., Joseph, Jack, and Harold.


Burial::
Mount Zion Cemetery
Central, South Carolina