Class of: 1947
Deceased: 2015-02-28

Edwin E. Kelly was a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel who served his country for 30 years with honor and distinction. Bravely serving in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. While in Chengtu, China during WWII, he was under the command of Major General Chennault as a radio communications officer with the infamous Flying Tigers. In 1953, he brought a communications tactical squadron to Moody Air Force. In 1961, he implemented a communication system for the Royal Thai Armed Forces. As an electrical engineer and communications officer, he served at the Pentagon, working for General Curtis E. LeMay where his opinions and advice were invaluable and held in the highest esteem. His keen intellect and his expertise in communications command and control were in high demand, leading him to be selected as communications squadron commander of Barksdale Air Force Base. While there, his squadron was named the number one communications squadron for the entire Air Force.

In 1968, he was chosen to attend the prestigious Industrial College of Arm Forces, while simultaneously attending George Washington University receiving his MSBA, Masters of Science in Business Administration degree. His final assignment was as Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, European Communication Area where he received the Meritorious Service Medal for his exemplary ability, diligence and devotion to duty. His distinctive accomplishments were singled out as they culminated in a distinguished career in the service to his country. While receiving numerous awards and recognition for his outstanding service in the Air Force, he would later often reflect upon how far he had traveled from starting out as a “Buck Private.”