In 1944, PFC Kelly served with the Third Army's 5th Infantry Division in the move across Europe and was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star Medal, and a Silver Star for gallantry in action. In the postwar era, he became a logistics noncommissioned officer and continued to serve with distinction at home and abroad. He was ultimately promoted to command sergeant major. Thereafter, he served as G-1 Sergeant Major for the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany during the height of the Cold War and while the division underwent a ROAD reorganization; as Command Sergeant Major for the 54th General Support Group in Vietnam (1969-70) which included nearly 2,700 personnel; as Command Sergeant Major of the Germersheim Army Depot and Military Community (Germany); and finally as Command Sergeant Major of the 2nd Battalion, Quartermaster School Brigade, Fort Lee, VA.