Scope and Contents

Photographs, newspaper articles, slide, DD-214, and a draft essay documenting Charles R. Kelly's tours of duty in Southeast Asia from 1963 to 1974.

Biographical / Historical

Charles R. Kelly was born in Idabel, Oklahoma in 1934. Soon after graduating from high school Kelly joined the local unit of the Oklahoma National Guard, the 45th Infantry Division. After rising to Sergeant First Class Kelly was transferred to the regular Army in 1957. Two years after entering the regular Army Kelly was encouraged to enter Officer Candidate School (OCS). After completing Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, Kelly completed both parachute school and the Army Ranger course. He was then assigned to the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. During this period President John F. Kennedy had started an Army Special Forces contingent known as the 'Green Berets.' With his Ranger background, Kelly was selected to become a Green Beret in 1962. One year later Kelly's Special Forces A Team became one of the first Green Beret units to serve in Vietnam. Kelly served as executive officer of a unit that served in the Vietnam highlands to work with Rhade mountain tribal members. During his second tour of duty in 1964 Kelly served as a commander of Special Forces A team and worked with the CIA training commando teams to infiltrate North Vietnam. During his third tour of duty beginning in 1967 Kelly served as a staff officer for the 101st Airborne Division conducting psychological warfare. During this period Kelly develped a plan that resulted in the surrender of 105 North Vietnamese soldiers for which he was awarded a Legion of Merit and two South Vietnamese awards. In his fourth and final tour of duty in 1974 Kelly served as chief of tactical operations for all CIA forces operating in Laos. Kelly retired from military service in 1977. During his career he was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Service Star, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, Vietnamese Psychological Operations Medal second class, and the Vietnamese Staff Service Medal first class.