Thomas W. Kelly

Thomas William Kelly (16 November 1932 – 6 June 2000)[1] was a lieutenant general in the United States Army who served as Director for Operations (J3) on the Joint Staff from 1988 to 1991. Responsible for helping to plan the United States invasion of Panama in 1989 and Operation Desert Storm in 1991, he personally conducted the daily Pentagon press briefings at 15:00 U.S. Eastern Time during the Gulf War.

Thomas W. Kelly
Born(1932-11-16)16 November 1932
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died6 June 2000(2000-06-06) (aged 67)
Clifton, Virginia
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1956–1991
RankLieutenant General
Commands heldU.S. Army Security Assistance Command
U.S. Army Training Center
194th Armored Brigade
1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment
Battles/warsVietnam War
AwardsDefense Distinguished Service Medal
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (3)
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star Medal (5)
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal (5)

Early life and education

Born in Philadelphia, Kelly attended Temple University and earned a B.S. degree in journalism in 1956. He was commissioned a second lieutenant of armor through the Army ROTC program. Kelly later studied at the Army Command and General Staff College and the Army War College.[2][3][4][5][6][7]

Military career

During the Vietnam War, Kelly served in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968 with the 1st Infantry Division.[5][6] While being transported by helicopter, he was shot down four times and crashed six times.[7]

As a lieutenant colonel, Kelly served as commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor, 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Riley, Kansas. As a colonel, he was given command of the 194th Armored Brigade at Fort Knox, Kentucky.[3]

As a major general, Kelly served as commanding officer of the U.S. Army Training Center and Fort Dix, New Jersey.[3] After that, he was placed in charge of the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command from August 1987 to January 1988. His promotion to lieutenant general was approved in March 1988.[8]

Lt. Gen. Kelly and Joint Staff intelligence director Rear Adm. Mike McConnell during
a Gulf War press briefing

During the 1989 Panama invasion and the 1991 Gulf War, Kelly was in charge of the National Military Command Center at the Pentagon.[4] His first experience conducting large press briefings was in 1989.[7] CNN correspondent Wolf Blitzer recalled that "he came across as someone credible and honest."[4]

After the Gulf War, Kelly retired from active duty at the beginning of April 1991.[4]

Later career

After retirement, Kelly embarked on a round of public speaking engagements. His first time flying First Class was to appear on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.[4]

In 1995, the American Legion presented him with their Distinguished Service Medal.[7]

Personal

Kelly was the son of Vincent De Paul Kelly (13 March 1901 – 12 May 1942)[9] and Mary Gertrude (Kirrane) Kelly (17 May 1901 – 11 March 1984). He had four sisters.[10]

Kelly married Dorothy Mary Bursak in 1957. They had two sons, a daughter and four grandchildren.[5][6]

After his death in Clifton, Virginia from liver cancer,[6] Kelly was interred at Arlington National Cemetery on 14 June 2000.[1]

References
  1. "Kelly, Thomas W". ANCExplorer. U.S. Army. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
  2. U.S. Army Register: Active and Retired List. Vol. I. Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army. 1 January 1966. p. 303. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  3. "Major General Thomas W. Kelly". Army Executive Biographies. Headquarters, Department of the Army. 1985. p. 283. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
  4. Baer, Susan (7 April 1991). "Meeting a general demand: Now retired, Kelly has become a hot item on the lecture circuit". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
  5. Pearson, Richard (7 June 2000). "Gen. Thomas W. Kelly Dies". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
  6. "Gen. Thomas Kelly, 67, Dies; Pentagon Voice in Gulf War". The New York Times. 8 June 2000. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
  7. "Lt. Gen. Thomas W. Kelly, Retired Gulf War Briefer at Pentagon, Dies at 67". Daily Press. Norfolk, Virginia. 8 June 2000. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
  8. "PN803 — Maj. Gen. Thomas W. Kelly — Army — 100th Congress (1987-1988)". U.S. Congress. 23 March 1988. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
  9. "Vincent De Paul Kelly". Find A Grave. Retrieved 2021-07-17.
  10. "Mary Gertrude Kirrane Kelly". Find A Grave. Retrieved 2021-07-17.
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