Posted on 11/11/2010 8:50:26 PM PST by BBell
A son of Lt. Gen. John Kelly, commander of the New Orleans-based Marine Forces Reserve, has been killed in fighting in Afghanistan, according to the Marine Corps.
Second Lt. Robert M. Kelly, 29, of Tallahassee, Fla., died Tuesday after he was struck by an improvised explosive device, also called a roadside bomb, while on a foot patrol in Helmand Province, according to a Defense Department statement released Wednesday, the Marine Corps' 235th birthday. The Defense Department also announced the death of a north Louisiana Marine who also was killed Tuesday in Helmand Province.
It was the younger Kelly's third combat tour. Like his father, he was an infantry officer and had been an enlisted Marine before he received his officer's commission December 2008. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, out of Camp Pendleton, Calif., according to the Marine Corps.
The elder Kelly, a Boston native who became head of the Marine Corps Reserve and Marine Forces North in October 2009 in a ceremony at the Naval Support Activity in Algiers, does not live in New Orleans and could not be reached for comment. His command is based at the Naval Support Activity's Bywater campus and will be moved to Algiers next year as part of the Federal City complex.
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Jim Amos' office released a statement Wednesday, saying he "is deeply saddened" by the news and "extends his deepest condolences to 2nd Lt. Kelly's wife, family and his Marines and sailors."
"The corps will always remember 2nd Lt. Kelly and all of our fallen heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country," Amos said.
The lieutenant general, who had two sons in the Marine Corps, himself deployed to Iraq three times, including as commander of
(Excerpt) Read more at nola.com ...
condolences to the family.
It made the paper today.
Such a shame, particularly this time of year. Condolences to the family. They know the dangers of war but the personal cost can be so high.
(( ping ))
Three tours of duty and still a butter bar?
Perhaps did a few as enlisted.
Rest in Peace my Brother.
Prayers for 2nd Lt. Kelly & family.
I read on another article that his first 2 tours were as enlisted.
Prayers to this young man and his family.
My Marine safely returned yesterday from Helmand. This Marine’s family is grieving tonight. We stand with them.
"It was the younger Kelly's third combat tour. Like his father, he was an infantry officer and had been an enlisted Marine before he received his officer's commission December 2008. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, out of Camp Pendleton, Calif., according to the Marine Corps."
Jeez Louise. Marines in New Orleans have really taken a beating the past couple of weeks.
Our prayers for the Kellys. Will be sure to get a card off today. This morning I let my guard down and thought maybe what was passed on was a false rumor since I’d not seen anything in the press or coming through the network. So very heartbroken for them. So very heartbroken.
Joining in with prayers.
RIP.
Mustang
Tuesday afternoon when my wife came home and told me about the whole unit being abuzz about this I searched and searched and could find nothing. I tried again Wednesday but not with so much zeal and still nothing. Thursday it made the local paper. It’s something that he was killed Tuesday in Afghanistan and Tuesday Central time it was common knowledge at HQ. News does travel fast.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.