Francis Kelly (Medal of Honor)

For other people named Francis Kelly, see Francis Kelly (disambiguation).

Francis Kelly
Watertender Francis Kelly
Birth name	Archibald Houston
Born	(1859-07-05)July 5, 1859 Anderston, Glasgow, Scotland
Died	May 19, 1938(1938-05-19) (aged 77) Glasgow, Scotland
Buried	Sandymount Cemetery, Glasgow, Scotland
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Navy
Rank	Chief Machinist's Mate
Unit	USS Merrimac
Battles / wars	Spanish–American War
Awards	Medal of Honor

Francis Kelly (July 5, 1859 – May 19, 1938) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Spanish–American War.

Biography

Francis Kelly was born Archibald Houston in Anderston, Glasgow, Scotland. He enlisted in the US Navy from Massachusetts, and served as a watertender in the collier USS Merrimac during the Spanish–American War. Kelly was one of eight volunteer crew members when Rear Admiral William T. Sampson ordered Merrimac sunk to block the entrance of Santiago Harbor, Cuba. On the night of 2-June 3, 1898, during the attempt to execute this mission, Merrimac's steering gear was disabled by enemy gunfire, and she sank without obstructing navigation. Her crewmen were rescued by the Spanish and made prisoners-of-war. After the Battle of Santiago de Cuba destroyed the Spanish fleet a month later, Kelly and his shipmates were released. For his actions during this operation, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Francis Kelly remained in the Navy after the Spanish–American War, ultimately obtaining the rank of chief machinist's mate. He returned home to Glasgow, and died there in 1938, his death certificate states "Archibald Houston (formerly Francis Kelly), US naval pensioner". He is buried at Sandymount Cemetery, Glasgow, Scotland.

Medal of Honor citation

Kelly's official Medal of Honor citation reads as follows:

In connection with the sinking of the U.S.S. Merrimac at the entrance to the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, June 2, 1898. Despite heavy fire from the Spanish batteries, KELLY displayed extraordinary heroism throughout this operation.

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Spanish–American War

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Naval History and Heritage Command.

“Statutory Births 1855–2018,” database and images, ScotlandsPeople (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk : accessed 16 March 2011), image, birth registration, Archibald Houston, born 6 March 1859, registered 25 March 1859, District of Anderston, County of Lanark; citing Statutory Registers no. 644/8 975.

“Statutory Deaths 1855–2018,” database and images, ScotlandsPeople (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk : accessed 22 July 2011), image, death registration, Archibald Houston, died 19 May 1838, District of College, County of Lanark; citing Statutory Registers no. 644/7 128.

• "US People - Kelly, Francis". Online Library. Naval History & Heritage Command. May 3, 2006. Retrieved October 2, 2006.