Portrait of a Soldier

From the President of the United States of America:  Know Ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity and abilities of George Alton O’Kelley, I do appoint him Second Lieutenant, Corps of Engineers in the Army of the United States such appointment to date from the second day of June nineteen hundred and fifty-one. He is, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of the office to which he is appointed by doing and performing all manner of things hereunto belonging.

He will enter upon active duty under this commission only when specifically ordered to such active duty by competent authority.

And I do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under his command when he shall be employed on active duty, to be obedient to his orders, as an officer of his grade and position. (Additional comments not shown.)

Done at the City of Washington, this second day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and seventy-fifth.

The above words were lifted from a War Office document found in my Daddy’s military files, saved by my mother for almost 80 years.

Daddy didn’t talk much about his service, but when he did, he did so with pride. He served our country as so many did, but unlike so many, he came back home whole. While I am no judge, I never detected any symptoms of PTSD or the like, though I am confident he harbored horrors of war deep in his soul.

While on his honeymoon in July 1951, Daddy received a call to service. One month later, he reported to Fort Belvoir, Virginia, from his hometown and current dwelling in Jacksonville, Florida, leaving his job as a Civil Engineer for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. My mother went with him.

At 22 years old, Daddy underwent numerous service training courses, receiving certificates for each. Somewhere along the way, he spent a week in the hospital with no reportable reason I could find. Perhaps it was from the spinal cord injury (with no explanation) he indicated in his health records when applying for VA health benefits.

Shipped Overseas

In the summer of 1952, he was sent to Korea for the Korean Conflict, an undeclared war that President Truman called “a police action.” Daddy was assigned as a Mess, Supply and Transportation Officer, later a Platoon Leader. I recall Daddy telling about a time he helped construct a bridge. The time was short and the challenge was tall, but the mission was accomplished as the enemy encroached.

At some point, which I could not determine, Daddy was promoted to First Lieutenant and became a member of the 185^th Engineer Combat Battalion. He never spoke of the awards he earned, but it was here that he earned an Award of the Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant for meritorious service in Korea. The citation document stated that Lieutenant O’Kelley “demonstrated outstanding leadership, skill and professional knowledge in the performance of his assigned responsibilities. His excellent knowledge of elements of combat engineering contributed to the training of men in his platoon and was instrumental in achieving superior road construction and maintenance in the X Corps sector, thereby furthering the war efforts in Korea. The meritorious service rendered by Lieutenant O’Kelley throughout this [defined] period reflects great credit on himself and the military service.” How cool is that? My heart swelled a little as I typed those words! That’s MY Daddy.

He garnered two additional medals for Korean Service and United Nations Service and one overseas bar. I would have never known this information had I not reviewed his military files.

Home Again

Daddy was honorably discharged in the summer of 1953. Among the items he identified in a comprehensive list turned in to the Supply Sergeant were a belt pistol, bayonet, knife, and wool trousers, shirt, and blanket. He was administered a regimen of malaria drugs before his return to the States as a precautionary measure.

His journey home on the train turned into an adventure when it caught fire. A delay of a few days was unwelcome as he longed to get back to his beautiful bride.

Daddy extended his service through the Army Reserve for several more years.

While in Korea, Daddy traveled to Japan several times. He was obviously thinking of my mother when he purchased a cake set and evening bag and shipped them back home. Mother also has a small coffee table with intricate carvings bought in Japan plus two vases, one of which I proudly display in my home.

What a blessing for me to learn things about my Daddy I never knew. I am sorry I did not take greater interest when he was alive. Our veterans deserve recognition, and I am glad to have done just that.

To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.  – George Washington