23rd Infantry Division "Americal" |
United States Army |
26th Engineer Battalion |
196th Infantry Brigade |
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Kelly served as a - Pfc. - E3 - Army - Regular Enlisted Service. He was 19 years old at the time of his death, single not married. Kelly was born on June 16, 1951. He was from Arock, Oregon. His tour of duty in Vietnam began on April 9, 1970. Kelly served with the "A" Company, 26th Engineer Battalion, 196th Infantry Brigade, 23rd Americal Division. Kelly died on July 4, 1970 in Quang Ngai Province, Republic of South Vietnam. Kelly's death was a result of an enemy explosive device. "See Rememberence below" His body was recovered. Kelly's religion was Protestant. Kelly's name is listed on Panel 9W --- Line 119 of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. "Rest In Peace Kelly You Are Missed By All Who Knew You" |
Kelly Ray Davis |
Honors Kelly Ray Davis served his Country and Flag with Courage and Bravery. His acts of Gallantry to his Men and Country earned him the following awards: Purple Heart for wounds suffered in combat National Defence Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Campaign Ribbon Good Conduct Medal The Republic of Vietnam, Military Merit Medal The Republic of Vietnam, Gallentry Cross with Palm |
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Kelly was operating a bulldozer during a land clearing operation, the NVA had an extensive underground bunker system in that area, and it was heavily booby- trapped. The land clearing operation consisted of (if I remember correctly) two D-7 dozers from each of the 26th Eng. Bn. Companies, 196 Infantry, and 1st Air Cav. units made up the operation. The dozers were on line with about 100 ft of anchor chain connected between the dozers, we would go through the jungle and foliage setting off the booby traps and exposing the entrance of the tunnels. The 196 Infantry would then go in and clear the tunnels. Kelly had just flown in and was to be my relief. We spent 3 or 4 days out on the Batangan Peninsula at a time. This particular day I loaded up and flew back to LZ. Hawkhill, got off the chopper, walked back to the bunker, and they told me then, that Kelly was dead. Kelly was operating the end dozer. A 196 Infantry solder tripped a bouncy betty booby trap. Kelly was hit in the temple area of his head, when the line started again, someone noticed that they were dragging his dozer, and that's when they discovered he had been hit. Nobody knew why the grunt sitting in the suicide seat, riding shotgun was not on the dozer at the time, although it was said Kelly was killed instantly. A soldier named Miller and I went to Duc Pho to identify the body, and Kelly went home. The event was called "OPERATION LAND CLEAR" and its was located on the Batangan Peninsula 23 miles south of Chu Lai. There was talk that the people that were on that operation were to receive a silver star, but don't know if it ever came about. We sent letters to his family but never got a reply, so if you talk to them, or know where they can be reached, you can send this letter, letting them know that we tried to contact them, tell them that Kelly, was very well liked and we all broke down and cried when he left us, and every now and then I can hear him say " What do we do now, Kid" Kid was what I was called in Nam. As remembered by Darrell Osborne, Vietnam 68/69/70, A Co 26th Eng. Bn. |
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Kelly in Vietnam, location unknown |
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Kelly Ray's Brother John above, was serving in Vietnam with an artillery unit when his Brother was killed. He is seen here with his Quad 50 |
