1st Lieutenant Arthur Harold Kelly was an observer (bombardier) in the 96th Aero Squadron during WWI. This Squadron was the first in the United States Air Service to have bombardment as its sole mission. The Squadron was based at Amanty Aerodrome in France. Kelly was assigned to the 96th on July 18, 1918, and participated in several bombing raids in a Breguet 14 bomber during the War. He was awarded a Silver Star Citation for gallantry in action when during a raid on Conflans his aircraft was confronted by enemy scouts. Despite the threat, Lieutenant Kelly, who was the squadron photographic officer, successfully obtained pictures of the bombing bursts. Shortly after the end of the War, on July 15, 1920, then Captain Kelly was shot down, severely wounded, and later died while participating as an observer with the Kosciuszko Aero Squadron during the Bolshevist invasion of Poland.
1st Lieutenant Arthur Harold Kelly was an observer (bombardier) in the 96th Aero Squadron during WWI. This Squadron was the first in the United States Air Service to have bombardment as its sole mission. The Squadron was based at Amanty Aerodrome in France. Kelly was assigned to the 96th on July 18, 1918, and participated in several bombing raids in a Breguet 14 bomber during the War. He was awarded a Silver Star Citation for gallantry in action when during a raid on Conflans his aircraft was confronted by enemy scouts. Despite the threat, Lieutenant Kelly, who was the squadron photographic officer, successfully obtained pictures of the bombing bursts. Shortly after the end of the War, on July 15, 1920, then Captain Kelly was shot down, severely wounded, and later died while participating as an observer with the Kosciuszko Aero Squadron during the Bolshevist invasion of Poland.
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