LIEUTENANT  ROGER JOSEPH KELLY. born in San Francisco, California, was the son of Marie Costello Kelly and the late Joseph Kelly. He was graduated from West Point with the Class of 1949 and served at Fort Riley, Kansas, and Fort Benning, Georgia.

As a boy, Roger attended St. Ignatius School in San Francisco. His chief interests and activities were in outdoor life and Scouting, in which he rose to the rank of Eagle Scout. He was an amateur artist and musician. At West Point he will be: remembered for his activities in the ‘100th" Night Show," of which he was an associate director.

His friendly manner and sincere interest in people brought him a host of friends from every walk of life. His letters to his family and friends were filled with cheer and encouragement. In spite of the environment in which he found himself in Korea, one of the last letters he wrote on a day's rest behind the lines, illustrates his utterly unselfish devotion to duty.

Soon after this letter was written Lieutenant Kelly- returned to the mortal struggle of the battlefield. where he became ill. Although he was urged to report to the aid station because of a headache and fever he refused to leave his men and struggled through another day until ordered from active duty 
 on September 23rd. Characteristic of his determination to carry on were his words. reported by his superior officer, Lieutenant Colonel Kinney. who saw him at the aid station just before he was evacuated :"Colonel, don't think I'm dead beating."  Colonel Kinney assured him he didn't. Roger died in Pusan Hospital, Korea September 2S, 1950. a victim of acute encephalitis.

He led a full, happy life in the brief allotted to him. He had fulfilled his dream when he was commissioned in the United States Army. He leaves behind him a mighty example of goodness, unselfishness and gallantry, because he was utterly unspoiled, deeply religious-yet filled with joy of life.

No greater tribute to his dependability, fidelity and sacrifice could be paid Roger than by the letters such as this one coming to his family from Brigadier General Gar Davidson. "It must give his family some degree of comfort to know of his exceptional devotion to his duty and his country.  Bad as he was feeling, he was inbred with so much pride and such a high sense of duty that he only went to the aid station under compulsion, ultimately to give the maximum he had to offer for his country."These letters have brought comfort to the mother of an only son, and have helped reconcile her to his sacrifice on the altar of national devotion.

To those of us who have watched Roger's character unfold through the years, the loss is a deep one, for we have turned with him to the pages in his book of life only to have reached the final chapter tragically and too soon. His greatest monument is enshrined in the memories of those who knew him and loved him. This world is a better place because he passed our way.

A.K.B.