Pvt. John Francis Kelley of 2101 Freeman Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, was killed in action October 7, 1918. Entered the National Army LB3, Cleveland, Ohio, January 30, 1918. Born in Berea, Ohio, January 25, 1890, he was 28 years old at the time of his death. He served with Co. H 331 Infantry to August 19, 1918 and Co. K 117th Infantry 30th Division until October 7, 1918 at Ypres-Lys; Somme Offensive. He was with the American Expeditionary Forces from June 4, 1918 until his death. He was the son of Mary and the late Dennis Kelley and the brother of Mrs. F. McCarthy, Mrs. G. Galvin, Mrs. S. Brady, Joseph and Frank. He and all the deceased servicemen of Greater Cleveland were honored with a brass plaque and an oak tree planted along Liberty Row Boulevard, (currently Martin Luther King Boulevard), Cleveland. The trees and markers continued along N. Park Boulevard into Cleveland Heights. Pvt. Kelley’s marker and tree were opposite 2557 N. Park Boulevard, Cleveland Heights. Because of being killed in the war, his mother received compensation which she used to buy a home at 2064 Marlowe Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio. His mother, Mary Agnes Flaherty Kelley lived there until her death in 1923. Pvt. Kelley was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, World War I Victory medal with battle clasps for :Ypres-Lys, and Somme Offensive and World War I Victory Button (Silver).

Pvt. Kelley is interred in Calvary Cemetery.

INFORMATION AS FOUND IN THE OFFICIAL ROSTER OF OHIO SOLDIERS, SAILORS AND MARINES – WORLD WAR 1917 – 1918.

Information as gathered from family archives of Pvt. John Francis Kelley.