Joe Franklin Kelley

The database page for Joe Franklin Kelley

27 May 2003 To my brothers in arms, and especially my friends HN Joe F. Kelley, HM3 William Broad , and Cpl Bobbie Ratliff . I think of you all even though it has been 38 years. I remember seeing Joe and Bill in body bags on that fateful day on Operation DeSoto, my heart went numb and has been so since that day. Only the death of Mills Miller created a greater void in my life. I was in the Philippines when I read of the death of Bobbie, and again I wondered why I made it out alive. I wish you all were here with me, to laugh and retell the stories of by-gone days. I will join you someday, keep a rubber lady on a cot for me... Doc Riddle 21 Jan 2004 Almost another year and I am still here and you are there. I look forward to the day when we will be taking care of Marines together again ... Doc Riddle 17 Mar 2006 Joe, I miss you every day. I will see you soon. I met with your nephew Kevin a couple of years ago, and what a fine young man he is. We had a couple of beers and some grub in Meridian. Until we meet again.... Doc "Doc" Riddle 28 Dec 2007 Joe, I have finally located your final resting place, thanks to Vic and to your nephew Kevin. I will be there at the end of January to say good bye. Keep a close eye on my brothers who are there with you, I will join you someday ... Doc From a comrade in arms and brother, Alan Riddle 24 Jan 2008 Joe, I will visit your grave on the anniversary of that day in Tan Tu. I will visit the baseball field that I was told is named after you, and I will take pictures to take back to the reunion of Brothers. What more can I say, take care of the Marines guarding the gates of Heaven... Doc Riddle From a comrade in arms, Alan Riddle condoc@hctc.com

27 Feb 2005 My sincere thanks to Doc Riddle for his service and contributions to this memorial. From Joe's nephew, Kevin Kelley E-Mail will be forwarded by the Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

Notes from The Virtual Wall Hospital Corpsman Joe Kelley was one of six men from Mike 3/7 Marines who died on 28 Jan 1967 in a fight at the hamlet of Tan Tu: SSgt Fred L. Pedersen, Azusa, CA Sgt Russell M. Wagner, Vallejo, CA HM3 William R. Broad, Tulsa, OK (Silver Star) Cpl Jackya K. Grant, Chicago, IL Cpl Pedro A. Swenson, Willow Grove, PA HN Joe F. Kelley, Applegate, CA The two Corpsmen, HM3 Broad and HN Kelley, were formally assigned to H&S Company, 3/7, but were in the field with Mike Company. Petty Officer Broad received the Silver Star, America's third highest award for valor in combat, for the actions which led to his death. "You guys are the Marine's doctors - There's none better in the business than a Navy Corpsman ..." -- Lieutenant General "Chesty" Puller -- Visit John Dennison's Medics on the Wall memorial which honors the Army Medics and Navy Corpsmen who died in Vietnam.

The point-of-contact for this memorial is a fellow Corpsman, "Doc" Riddle condoc@hctc.com

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 02 Jun 2003
Last updated 02/02/2008