John Francis Kelly American General, 5th US Secretary of Homeland Security Date of Birth: 11.05.1950 Country: USA

1. John Francis Kelly: A Distinguished Career in the U.S. Marine Corps
2. Early Military Service
3. Return to the Corps and Officer Training
4. Field Command and Staff Positions
5. Advanced Training and Joint Assignments
6. Operations in Iraq
7. Senior Leadership and Civilian Government
8. Secretary of Homeland Security
9. Personal Life

John Francis Kelly: A Distinguished Career in the U.S. Marine Corps

John Francis Kelly was born on May 11, 1950, in Boston, Massachusetts. His Irish Catholic upbringing instilled in him a strong sense of discipline and duty.

Early Military Service

Kelly first enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1970 and served until 1972. He attained the rank of Sergeant and served in the 2nd Marine Division's rifle company at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Return to the Corps and Officer Training

Following his initial service, Kelly pursued a college degree. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts Boston in 1976, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps Officer Candidates School. In 1984, he earned a Master's degree in National Security Studies from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service.

Field Command and Staff Positions

Kelly returned to the 2nd Marine Division, where he held various command and staff positions, including Infantry and Rifle Platoon Commander, Deputy Company Commander, Assistant Operations Officer, and Rifle Company Commander. He also served sea duty in Mayport, Florida, and aboard the aircraft carriers USS Forrestal (CV-59) and USS Independence (CV-62).

Advanced Training and Joint Assignments

In 1980, Kelly attended the Infantry Officer Advanced Course at Fort Benning, Georgia. Subsequently, he served at the Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, in Washington, D.C. from 1981 to 1984. In 1994, he graduated from the National War College in Washington, D.C., and served as a liaison officer for the Marine Corps to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Operations in Iraq

In 2002, Kelly deployed to Iraq as the Deputy Commander of the 1st Marine Division under James Mattis. He played a pivotal role in coordinating the advance of regimental combat teams through Iraqi positions. In 2003, he led Task Force Tripoli in the capture of senior Iraqi military officers.

Senior Leadership and Civilian Government

From 2004 to 2007, Kelly served at Headquarters Marine Corps. He was promoted to Major General and commanded the I Marine Expeditionary Force in Anbar and Ninawa provinces from 2008 to 2009. In 2011, he became Senior Military Advisor to Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta.

Secretary of Homeland Security

After 45 years of service, Kelly retired from the Marine Corps in 2016. He was nominated by President Donald Trump to be the 5th U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on January 20, 2017.

Personal Life

In 2010, Kelly's son, First Lieutenant Robert Kelly, was killed in Afghanistan. This tragedy made Kelly the highest-ranking American military officer to lose a child in the Iraq or Afghanistan wars.