Kazys Tallat-Kelpša

Personal life

Kelpša had sister Ona Tallat–Kelpšaitė Jurskienė, who married with lieutenant colonel .

Kelpša married Janina Daugulytė, who gave birth to his only son Algis. His son graduated from the higher school in Cleveland and was Reserve Captain of the United States Army. On 19 September 1920, he returned to Kaunas and was assigned to the 2nd Uhlan Regiment.

On 1 November 1923, Kelpša was sent to Belgium where in 1926 he graduated from the Royal Military Academy of Belgium. In 1927, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the First Military District.

In 1931, Kelpša was lecturer of the Higher Officers' Courses, in 1933 he was transferred to the War School of Kaunas.

Since 25 October 1934, Kelpša was Chief of Cavalry of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

In 1936, Kelpša was awarded the military rank of brigadier general.

Occupations and World War II

Following the Soviet occupation of Lithuania in June 1940, Kelpša was fired from the Lithuanian Armed Forces on 25 June 1940.

Emigration

In 1944, Kelpša with his family departed to Germany, and from 1949 onward lived in Cleveland, United States. He worked in the sphere of railroads until 16 July 1961, when he retired.

In 1950, Kelpša established a branch of the Lithuanian Soldiers Veterans Union Ramovė in Cleveland and headed it.