Robert Kelly

Captain Robert Bolling Kelly (June 9, 1913 – January 23, 1989) was an officer of the United States Navy who served during World War II.

Biography Kelly was born in New York City, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1935.

World War II In 1941–42 Lieutenant Kelly served as both Executive Officer of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3 under Lieutenant John D. Bulkeley, and as commander of , based in the Philippines.

Kelly took part in the operation to evacuate General Douglas MacArthur and his staff from Corregidor to Mindanao, on the night of March 12–13, 1942 and was subsequently awarded the Silver Star. seeing action during the battle of Okinawa, and the destroyer tender in 1958–59.

Kelly retired in 1961 with the rank of captain. He worked for the Aerospace Division of Martin Marietta, and later as a counselor of vocational rehabilitation for the State of Maryland.

In media MTB Squadron 3's exploits in the Philippines in 1941–42 were portrayed in the 1942 book They Were Expendable by William L. White, and the 1945 film of the same name, in which the character of "Rusty Ryan", played by John Wayne, was based on Kelly.