Army Sgt. Michael J. Kelley

Remember Our Heroes

Army Sgt. Michael J. Kelley, 26, of Scituate, Massachusetts.

Sgt Kelley died in Shkin, Afghanistan, when his helicopter landing zone came under enemy fire. He was assigned to the Army National Guard's 101st Field Artillery Battalion, Rehoboth, Massachusetts.

Michael Kelley, a 1997 graduate of Scituate High School in Massachusetts, joined the National Guard straight out of high school, hoping to take advantage of the military's educational assistance programs. He wanted to parlay the skills he learned in the Army into a career in the civil aviation industry. Michael volunteered to go to Afghanistan after his old National Guard Unit out of Quincy, MA was stationed in Iraq last year. Michael felt it was the right thing to do after he was reassigned to a unit in Rehoboth, MA and that unit was looking for volunteers to relieve military personnel in Afghanistan due to lack of military replacements.

Michael was somewhat introverted and quiet, but had a keen wit, a sharp mind, a big heart, and a great sense of humor. He was an artist and loved to read. He loved to play video games and loved to watch movies. Michael had the fantastic ability to recite movie lines. One of his favorite movies was Tommy Boy and he would always recite the line by Chris Farley, to his brother, Shawn and Brother-in-law, Doug, "Brothers don't shake hands, brothers gotta hug!"

In addition to his parents, Joseph and Karen Kelley, Michael leaves behind a brother, Shawn, two sisters, Karianne and Colleen, Brother-in-law Douglas, and niece Olivia.

Army Sgt Michael J. Kelly was killed in action on 06/08/05.