Congressman Smith (R-NJ) presented an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol to Bill Kelly, a 93 year-old U.S. Navy veteran and hero of the U.S.S. Laffey during World War II, on his birthday this week. Kelly was joined by his family members, local Wall Township Committeeman Kevin Orender, and members of the U.S.S. Laffey Association.

    “‘Bill’ Kelly’s brave, selfless and outstanding service to this nation aboard the U.S.S. Laffey stands as a shining example of the best our country has to offer,” Smith stated.

    Kelly was born in Belmar, NJ in 1925, and was a high school football star at Manasquan High School, before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1942 at the age of 17, at the height of World War II.

    He served on the U.S.S. Laffey, known as “The Ship That Would Not Die.” The Laffey assisted U.S. forces at the D-Day invasion of Normandy in 1944, before journeying to the Pacific theatre of the war. At the Battle of Okinawa, Kelly was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds he received in battle on board the ship on April 16, 1945, when the Laffey endured a large-scale kamikaze air attack by Japanese planes.

    According to the executive director of Patriots Point in South Carolina, where the Laffey is now moored, in the midst of the April 16 air attack Kelly jumped to the deck of the ship to retrieve the American Flag which had fallen; he encountered a dying comrade who requested to hold the flag, and Kelly wrapped him in the flag.

    “As a community, we deeply appreciate all that Bill has done, both here in New Jersey and across the globe, to make the world a better place for all, especially and including his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and those yet to come,” Smith said.

    “Bill truly embodies the character of ‘The Greatest Generation,’ and we are grateful and honored to pay tribute to his remarkable contributions.”

    Kelly is one of only four surviving crew members to have served on the Laffey during the Battle of Okinawa. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in November of 1945. He has five children and 13 grandchildren, some of who were present for the flag presentation.