Allan
Jay Kellogg, Jr., who was awarded the Medal of Honor
for heroism in Vietnam, during March 1970, was born
1 October 1943, in Bethel, Connecticut, and graduated
from elementary school there in 1958. He attended
high school for two years, prior to enlisting in
the U.S. Marine Corps on 14 November 1960, in Bridgeport,
Connecticut.
He received recruit
training at Parris Island, South Carolina and individual
combat training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Following graduation,
he was assigned duty as a rifleman, assistant automatic
rifleman, and fire team leader, consecutively, with
Company K, 3d Battalion, 2d Marine Division, Camp
Lejeune. He was promoted to private first class
in June 1961, to lance corporal in April 1962, and
to corporal in October 1962.
From
December 1962 until November 1964, Cpl Kellogg served
as squad leader with Company D, 1st Battalion, 4th
Marines, 1st Marine Brigade. Upon his return to
the United States, he was assigned duty as Sergeant
of the Guard, Marine Air Base Squadron 31, Marine
Aircraft Group 31 at Beaufort, South Carolina.
He was promoted to
sergeant on 1 May 1965 and in March 1966 was ordered
to the Republic of Vietnam where he served as Weapons
Platoon Sergeant and later, Company Supply Non-commissioned
Officer of Company F, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines,
3d Marine Division. He was promoted to staff sergeant
1 July 1967.
In
December 1967 SSgt Kellogg was assigned to the 2d
Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, serving as a squad
leader with M-16 Special Task Group Command, 3d
Battalion, 8th Marines and subsequently as a platoon
sergeant, and later, platoon commander of Company
I, 3d Battalion, 6th Marines.
Returning
for his second tour of duty in the Republic of Vietnam
in December 1969, SSgt Kellogg served briefly as
a platoon sergeant with Company A, 1st Battalion,
26th Marines. During March 1970 he was reassigned
duty as a platoon sergeant of Company G, 2d Battalion,
5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Wounded in action
in Quang Nam Province on 8 May 1970, he was evacuated
to the U.S. Naval Hospital, Yokosuka, Japan.
He
was released from the hospital in October 1970 and
returned to duty that December, when he assumed
his assignment as Instructor, Field Medical Service
School, at Camp Pendleton, California. He was promoted
to gunnery sergeant on 1 July 1972. He was later
promoted to sergeant major, and retired from the
Marine Corps in October 1990.
A
complete list of his medals and decorations includes:
the Medal of Honor, the Bronze Star Medal with Combat
“V”, the Purple Heart Medal with two
gold stars, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Presidential
Unit Citation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation
with one bronze star, the Good Conduct Medal with
three bronze stars, the National Defense Service
Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver
star, the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious
Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Color) with palm
and gold frame, the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious
Unit Citation Civil Action Color (First Class) with
palm and gold frame, the Vietnam Campaign Medal
with device, the Rifle Expert Badge, and the Pistol
Expert Badge.
Medal of Honor Citation