Marine general's son killed in Afghanistan while serving with battalion from Camp Pendleton

 

The son of a Marine general has been killed in combat in Afghanistan while serving with a battalion from Camp Pendleton, the Marine Corps confirmed Wednesday.

Second Lt. Robert M. Kelly, killed Tuesday by a roadside bomb during a foot patrol in Helmand province, was the son of Lt. Gen. John Kelly, now commander of New Orleans-based Marine Forces Reserve.

Kelly, 29, had served two tours in Iraq as an enlisted Marine before being commissioned in 2008. His brother, a Marine officer, also served in Iraq.

Robert Kelly was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton.

The battalion has had 13 Marines killed in combat in the last month as they have fought to push Taliban fighters out of the Sangin area of Helmand province, long a Taliban stronghold.

At a teleconference Wednesday with San Diego reporters, Maj. Gen. Richard Mills, the top Marine in Afghanistan, said the courage of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Regiment has earned the unit a place among the most honored battalions in Marine history.

Mills said of the battle for Sangin: "It's the last piece of prime real estate that the enemy is contesting. Once he loses that ... he will have a difficult time establishing himself in the province."

The elder Kelly commanded Marines during the 2003 invasion of Iraq to topple the regime of Saddam Hussein, in the assault on Hussein's stronghold in Tikrit and in spring 2004 during the battle in Fallouja.

He served as the top Marine in Afghanistan in 2008 as commander of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Marine Commandant Gen. James Amos, in a statement, offered condolences to the Kelly family, including the lieutenant's wife, and said, "The corps will always remember 2nd Lt. Kelly and all of our fallen heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country."

 -- Tony Perry in San Diego

Photo: Robert M. Kelly. Credit: Courtesy

Comments

[Philbomb]

Obviously a very committed and dedicated young man. Thank you for your service

[Tracy Hackbarth (Kirk)]

Deepest condolences to the Kelly family.
-The Kirk family, former neighbors on Camp Pendleton

[Dubya]

What a waste. See what Gung Ho gets!

[Richie]

Dubya, you are a coward. Go tell any Marine to his face what you just typed in your message. See what happens . . .

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night because strong men stand ready to visit violence upon those who would do them harm."

Rest in Peace Robert Kelly and Semper Fi!

[Richie]

Hey, LA Times,
Do you even moderate these comments? Why would you even post the comment by Dubya? Don't give me any free speech crap either. You are providing a platform for losers to make crass comments about someone who just died fighting against terrorists who would decapitate the commenter if they had the chance.

You stay classy, LA Times . . .

[Blessed in America]

God Bless you Second Lt. Robert M. Kelly, and your entire family. A veteran is someone, who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and including, their life. That is beyond honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer remember that fact. Thank you to all the American Veterans and people in service.

[Afghan serving Marine]

Made the lord grant eternal peace to 2nd Lt Robert Kelly. May his family find the ability to heal after this great sacrifice and may our great nation continue to be worthy of the gift given by Lt Kelly and all the fallen men and women of our armed forces. Semper Fidelis

Dubya, you are an ignorant man. Perhaps you should travel down to Camp Pendleton and my fellow Marines will be glad to show you what Semper Fi gets.

[An old friend]

Robert was a sweet child and a good man. We will always remember you with love, my dear.

[Bella]

I know the family personally. They are amazing folks.

Robert Kelly was a wonderful young man. He has been posthumously promoted to 1st. Lt.

This family like all the families of our men and women fighting for our freedom should be shown nothing but the utmost respect. For the most part, I' m proud of the comments posted here. Unfortunately there will be some made out of ignorance. If these folks only knew what the military families go through. Gung ho, you bet, and lucky for all of us they are. The danger and the conditions they are in, most of us wouldn't last an hour. They are out there protecting us knowing the consequences they may face, so freedom of speech or not, keep your negativity to yourself out of respect for the family and families of the bravest men and women on earth, our military. God bless all of you. Those of us that love you will keep you in our thoughts and prayers forever.. Saying thank you just doesn't seem to cover it, but I'm going to say it anyway. Thank you for making it possible for me to enjoy living in the best country in the world. God's speed soliders..

[MGySgt Richter]

My thoughts and prayers go out to LtGen Kelly and his Family. This is a family that truly knows about serving something bigger than themselves.

[1feiermaus]

While I personally did not know 2nd Lt Kelly, my son did, and they both proudly served together, fighting for freedom in Iraq. My son soon will also head to Afghanistan, and the memory of Lt. Kelly as well as the memory of all his fellow marines lost in the battle of Fallujah in 2004 will accompany him every step of the way. Thank you for your sacrifice Lt. Kelly, where it not for you, all our Marines, and any man and woman in the American Military and their families, we could and would not be able to enjoy these bounties in Your Beautiful and Precious Country(I say your country-as I am here as a legal alien). Thank you for your service Lt Kelley and family, and your sacrifice, you are all my heroes.

[David A samson (Frm Najor general Army]

I SALUTE YOU AMERICAN HEROE-Lt.ROBET M KELLY.

David A samson father Marko M Samson(05/31/09 Tikrit Iraq)