Charles E. (Commando) Kelly

Charles E. (Commando) Kelly. "The One Man Army". Corporal Charles E. Kelly (born September 23, 1920, Pittsburgh, PA) Company L, 143rd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division "Texas Division", was the first man to be decorated with the Congreessional Medal of Honor on the European continent in World War II. On September 13, 1943, he defended an ammunition storehouse attacked by overwhelming Nazi forces. He delivered continuous, effective automatic fire from several weapons until out of ammunition. At this critical point, with the enemy threatening to overrun his position, Corporal Kelly picked up 60mm mortar shells, pulled the safety pins, and used the mortar shells as grenades. He then volunteered to hold the ammunition store house by himself until the remainder of his unit could withdraw. Firing almost every weapon in the arsenal including rocket launchers, he successfully covered the withdrawal of his unit, saving many lives. His feats of valor were so remarkable that the War Department needed to do tests to confirm that his heroism was even possible. He was nicknamed "Commando Kelly" and "The One Man Army". After the war, he struggled from what is now known as PTSD. He endured alcohol abuse, difficulty in relationships, difficulty holding a job, and depression. He died on January 11, 1985, in Pittsburgh, PA. This is dedicated to the millions of soldiers in all wars who served in combat and returned home suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), formerly called "Shell Shocked" or "Battle Fatigue".