Keyser in Mineral County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Staff Sergeant Jonah E. Kelley

United States Army

Photographed by Craig Doda, August 1, 2026

1. Staff Sergeant Jonah E. Kelley Marker

Inscription.
Staff Sergeant Jonah E. Kelley, 311th Infantry, 78th Infantry Division, displayed conspicuous gallantry in action on 30-31 January 1945 at Kesternich, Germany. In charge of the leading squad of Company E., he heroically spearheaded the attack in furious house-to-house fighting. Early on 30 January, he led his men through intense mortar and small-arms fire in repeated assaults on barricaded houses. Although twice wounded, once when struck in the back, the second time when a mortar shell fragment passed through his left hand and rendered it practically useless, he refused to withdraw and continued to lead his squad after hasty dressings had been applied. His serious wounds forced him to fire his rifle with one hand, resting it on rubble or over his left forearm. To blast his way forward with hand grenades, he set aside his rifle to pull the pins with his teeth while grasping the missiles with his good hand. Despite these handicaps, he created tremendous havoc in the enemy ranks. He rushed one house, killing three of the enemy and clearing the way for his squad to advance. On approaching the next house, he was fired upon

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from an upstairs window. He killed the sniper with a single shot and similarly accounted for another enemy soldier who ran from the cellar of the house. As darkness came, he assigned his men to defensive positions, never leaving them to seek medical attention. At dawn the next day, the squad resumed the attack, advancing to a point where heavy automatic and small-arms fire stalled them. Despite his wounds Sergeant Kelley moved out alone, located an enemy gunner dug in under a haystack and killed him with rifle fire. He returned to his men and found that a German machine gun, from a well-protected position in a neighboring house, still held up the advance. Ordering squad to remain in comparatively safe positions, he valiantly dashed into the open and attacked the position single handedly through a hail of bullets. He was hit several times and fell to his knees when within 25 yards of his objective; but he summoned his waning strength and emptied his rifle into the machine-gun nest, silencing the weapon before he died. The superb courage, aggressiveness, and utter disregard for his own safety displayed by Sergeant Kelley inspired the

Photographed by Craig Doda, August 1, 2026

2. Staff Sergeant Jonah E. Kelley Marker

men he led and enabled them to penetrate the last line of defense held by the enemy in the village of Kesternich.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is January 30, 1945.

Location. 39° 24.031′ N, 79° 1.232′ W. Memorial is in Keyser, West Virginia, in Mineral County. It is at the intersection of One Tornado Way and Stadium Drive, on the right when traveling south on One Tornado Way. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 328 One Tornado Way, Keyser WV 26726, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in the Eastern Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Honor Roll (here, next to this marker); Thomas R. Carskadon (approx.

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2.8 miles away); Carskadon Mansion (approx. 2.8 miles away); Historical Markers (approx. 2.8 miles away); Keyser / Averell’s Raid (approx. 2.8 miles away); Cannon Road (approx. 2.8 miles away); Fort Piano (approx. 3.2 miles away); Fort Fuller / Capture of New Creek (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Keyser.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 30, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.