b. 05/07/1860 Scotland. d. 19/05/1938 Glasgow, Scotland.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 03/06/1898 Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
Francis Kelly MOH
Francis Kelly was born Archibald Houston in Anderston, Glasgow, Scotland. He enlisted in the US Navy from Massachusetts, and served as a watertender in the collier USS Merrimac during the Spanish–American War. Kelly was one of eight volunteer crew members when Rear Admiral William T. Sampson ordered Merrimac sunk to block the entrance of Santiago Harbor, Cuba. On the night of 2-June 3, 1898, during the attempt to execute this mission, Merrimac‘s steering gear was disabled by enemy gunfire, and she sank without obstructing navigation. Her crewmen were rescued by the Spanish and made prisoners-of-war. After the Battle of Santiago de Cuba destroyed the Spanish fleet a month later, Kelly and his shipmates were released. For his actions during this operation, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Francis Kelly remained in the Navy after the Spanish–American War, ultimately obtaining the rank of chief machinist’s mate. He returned home to Glasgow, and died there in 1938, his death certificate states “Archibald Houston (formerly Francis Kelly), US naval pensioner”. He is buried at Sandymount Cemetery, Glasgow, Scotland. He lay in an unmarked grave until 2018, when following a 10 year campaign, his grave was rededicated and a Medal of Honor headstone was placed.
MOH CITATION:
In connection with the sinking of the U.S.S. Merrimac at the entrance to the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, 3 June 1898. Despite heavy fire from the Spanish batteries, Kelly displayed extraordinary heroism throughout this operation.
BURIAL LOCATION: SANDYMOUNT CEMETERY, GLASGOW, SCOTLAND.
SECTION M, LAIR 142.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: BELIEVED TO BE FAMILY.
