Jack Kelso

Jack William Kelso
Jack W. Kelso, posthumous Medal of Honor recipient
Born	(1934-01-23)January 23, 1934 Madera, California
Died	October 2, 1952(1952-10-02) (aged 18) Killed in action in Korea
Place of burial	Washington Colony Cemetery, Fresno, California
Allegiance	United States of AmericaUnited States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1951-1952
Rank	Private First Class
Unit	3rd Battalion, 7th Marines
Battles/wars	Korean War
Awards	Medal of Honor Silver Star Medal Purple Heart Medal (2) Combat Action Ribbon

Jack William Kelso (January 23, 1934–October 2, 1952) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions on the night of October 2, 1952, during the Korean War. He was killed while covering the escape of fellow Marines from a besieged bunker. He was the 31st Marine to receive the United States's highest military decoration for valor during the Korean War.

Jack William Kelso was born on January 23, 1934 in Madera, California, and attended grade and high school in Caruthers, California. He worked on his father’s farm until he enlisted in the Marine Corps on May 15, 1951 at age 17.

Kelso completed his recruit training in San Diego, California, in July 1951 and that September was ordered from San Diego to Camp Pendleton, California. In January 1952, he left for Hawaii, where he served until April 1952.

He embarked for Korea with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division as a rifleman. He earned the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action on August 13 to 15, 1952. Kelso made some 20 trips through enemy mortar and artillery fire to carry ammunition from his company to another unit defending an important hill. Although the heat and enemy fire forced most of the men to be relieved after three trips, he continued to carry up ammunition and return with casualties until he collapsed and had to be evacuated.