KELLY, Francis J.

Family History: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:1648844&id=I1095

KELLY, Francis J. (Dubuque, IA, Jan. 16, 1921--Dubuque, IA, Mar. 14, 1992). Dubuque's only National Guard general. Kelly, began his military career on November 24, 1942 when he was inducted into the army as a private in the infantry. He was the first enlisted man commissioned in the Iowa National Guard when it was reactivated in 1946. At that time was was promoted from first sergeant to second lieutenant. He retired after thirty-six years of military service, served in every rank from "buck" private to major general before finally retiring as Commander of Troops for the State of Iowa, Army National Guard.

A graduate of DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, Kelly attended Advanced Officers Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, and Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. (1)

In 1974 Kelly was promoted to brigadier general while an assistant division commander of the 47th Infantry Division. He was appointed commander of the Iowa Army National Guard in 1976 by Governor Robert Ray.

Locally Kelly owned and operated Kelly's Economy Mail after his resignation from the military in 1978. At that time, he became the third high-ranking officer to resign over issues with the Iowa National Guard commanding officer. (2) Kelly held memberships in the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Dubuque Citizens Advisory Commission, and served as chairman of the Dubuque Rent Control Board. He was married to Charlotte Ragatz KELLY and their daughter was Barbara K. SMELTZER.

Headstone in Linwood Cemetery

(3)

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Source:

1. "Kelly is First Colonel Here," Telegraph Herald, December 23, 1969, p. 1

2. "General Kelly Quits National Guard; Blasts Commander," Telegraph Herald, September 8, 1978, p. 1

3. Obituary, Telegraph Herald, March 16, 1992, p. 11