Interview with Arthur L. Kelly, April 16, 1985

Interview Summary

Kelly talks about his family history in Washington County, Kentucky and his participation in World War II in the Philippines in 1944. He recalls his reaction to the dropping of the atomic bombs on Japan and occupation duty in Korea after World War II. Kelly talks about his decision to join the National Guard after returning home in 1946 and later being sent to Korea in December of 1951. Kelly describes his introduction to Kimchi - a Korean food, and his first night in Korea in 1951. Kelly describes being shelled for the first time by enemy artillery and his reaction. He describes being nearly killed in the Smoke Valley and being frightened. He talks about why it was necessary for Americans to be in Korea. He recalls firing an artillery round into Panmunjom. He talks about becoming an artillery battery commander after Korea and serving in Germany, and later attending the Marine Corps Command Staff College. Kelly talks about his decision to make the military a career and learning about guerrilla insurgencies. He recalls attending a lecture by Bernard Fall.

He talks about his early knowledge and education about Vietnam and his decision to not volunteer for Vietnam immediately. He describes getting orders to go to Vietnam and almost crashing twice in aircraft going to Kentucky. He recalls saying goodbye to his family. Kelly talks about taking a C-141 military transport and landing at Pleiku, South Vietnam in July 1966. He describes his assignment to the 1st Cavalry Division at An Khe. Kelly talks about the reasons search and destroy strategy did not work. He describes the outpost at Plei Me and his participation in his first air assault. Kelly describes conditions under which the enemy would engage the American forces and his impression of the North Vietnamese regulars (NVA). He recalls his reunion with his family while on rest and recuperation. He talks about his work on retrograde movements. Kelly expresses sympathy for the Vietnamese people and talks of his opinion of the South Vietnamese Army (ARVN). Kelly recalls teaching military science at Morehead State University and campus reaction to the war. He describes the Student Mobilization Committee at Morehead. He emphasizes the importance and value of ROTC programs at universities. Kelly discusses the effect of the 1970 Kent State incident on Morehead and academic scholars' resistance to the war. He talks about the damage to morale caused by Jane Fonda. He gives his opinion of the media during the war and the reception Vietnam veterans received after returning home. Kelly concludes by applying the lessons learned in Vietnam to Central American problems.

Interview Keyword

Civilians in war. Combat. Communism. Demobilization Military helicopters Morale. Race relations. Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Aerial operations, American. Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Mass media and the war Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Protest movements--United States Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Public opinion Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Social aspects.

Interview LC Subject

Korean War, 1950-1953--Veterans Military education. United States--National Guard Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Veterans. World War, 1939-1945--Veterans.

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.