John F. Kelly

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John F. Kelly
John Kelly official DHS portrait.jpg
5th United States Secretary of Homeland Security
Assumed office
January 20, 2017
President Donald Trump
Preceded by Jeh Johnson
Commander of the United States Southern Command
In office
November 19, 2012 – January 16, 2016
President Barack Obama
Preceded by Douglas Fraser
Succeeded by Kurt Tidd
Personal details
Born John Francis Kelly
May 11, 1950 (1950-05-11) (age 67)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political party Independent
Spouse(s) Karen Hernest
Children 3
Education University of Massachusetts, Boston (BA)
Georgetown University (MA)
National Defense University (MS)
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service 1970–1972
1972–1976 (inactive reserves)
1976–2016
Rank US-O10 insignia.svg General
Commands United States Southern Command
1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
Multinational Force West
Battles/wars Persian Gulf War
 • Operation Desert Storm
Iraq War
Awards Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (2) with Valor

John Francis Kelly (born May 11, 1950) is a retired United States Marine Corps general. Kelly is the 5th and current United States Secretary of Homeland Security.

He is the former commander of United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). Kelly last served as the commanding general of the Multi-National Force—West in Iraq from February 2008 to February 2009, and as the commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North in October 2009.[1]

Early life[change | change source]

Kelly was born on May 11, 1950 in Boston, Massachusetts,[2] into an Irish Catholic family.

He served for one year as a United States Merchant Marine.[3] Kelly initially enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1970, and was discharged from active duty as a sergeant in 1972.

Kelly received a Master of Science degree in National Security Studies from the Georgetown School of Foreign Service in 1984. He also studied at the University of Massachusetts, Boston.

United States Secretary of Homeland Security (since 2017)[change | change source]

On December 7, 2016, it was reported that then-President-elect Donald Trump nominated Kelly to be the fifth United States Secretary of Homeland Security.[4]

On January 20, 2017, Kelly was confirmed as Secretary of Homeland Security by the United States Senate with a vote of 88-11.[5] On that evening he was sworn in by Vice-President Pence.

Personal life[change | change source]

Kelly is married to Karen Hernest. They have three children.

In 2010, Kelly’s 29-year-old son, First Lieutenant Robert Kelly, was killed in action when he stepped on a landmine while leading a platoon of Marines on a patrol in Sangin, Afghanistan. Robert Kelly's death made John Kelly the highest-ranking military officer to lose a son or daughter in Iraq or Afghanistan.[6]

References[change | change source]

Other websites[change | change source]

Media related to John F. Kelly at Wikimedia Commons Quotations related to John F. Kelly at Wikiquote