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1943 – 1983
At pointer strength: William J. Kelly of Mishawaka — born here in 1922, a Ball Band town boy who enlisted as a B-24 ball-turret gunner, was commissioned in 1950, and retired in 1983 as a major general — carries his full life in the People section, and this section carries only his decorations, at the size the register supports. The Hall of Valor lists for him the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. Both are service decorations: they recognize exceptionally meritorious service in positions of great responsibility, and they are printed here as what they are, not dressed as valor awards — the distinction is the section's whole method. The register carries his Legion of Merit at synopsis strength, "(Citation Needed)" in its rendering. A Mishawaka enlisted gunner who rose to two stars is one of the city's remarkable service stories; his honors are real, and they are of the service kind, and the record is served by saying so plainly.
Sources:
- Military Times Hall of Valor, record of William J. Kelly (Air Force Distinguished Service Medal; Legion of Merit at synopsis strength).
- People section of this build (Kelly entry), where the life stands whole.