Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Charles E. Kelly Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Navy
- Unit of Service: United States Naval Hospital; USS Rutland (APA 192); Beach Battalion B
- Location of Service:
- Highest Rank: Pharmacist's Mate Third Class
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/4541
The fortunes of Naval Pharmacist's Mate Charles Kelly took a dramatic turn when he was assigned to a Navy Beach Party that was to be among the first to land on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. On that bloody first day, U.S. forces suffered over 2400 casualties; the next morning, Kelly relates in his memoir, "The bodies were packed so tightly you could hardly see a place where they were not touching in death." Kelly illustrated his memoir with vivid drawings of bravery and unflinching portraits of the agony of death. He also pays tribute to the tenacity of the enemy; in all his time on Iwo Jima, he saw only one Japanese soldier taken prisoner.
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About this Item
Title
- Charles E. Kelly Collection
Names
- Kelly, Charles E.
Home State
- California
Headings
- - Kelly, Charles E.
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Navy.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
-
World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Navy
- Unit of Service: United States Naval Hospital; USS Rutland (APA 192); Beach Battalion B
- Location of Service:
- Highest Rank: Pharmacist's Mate Third Class
- Dates of Service: 1943-1946
- Military Status: veteran
- Service History Note: The veteran served on inactive duty from 09/22/1943 to 09/29/1943 as stated on military papers.
Materials
- Manuscript: Memoirs [2 items] -- (collected unknown)
- Manuscript: Military papers (orders, personnel/201 files, etc) [2 items] -- Typewritten document (collected unknown)
- Photograph: Digital print [1 item] -- Portrait (collected unknown)
- Manuscript: Creative works [1 item] -- Handwritten document (collected 2002)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/4541
Cite as
- Charles E. Kelly Collection (AFC/2001/001/4541), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image