Leroy Harris Kelly III, 20

Army, Private 1st Class

Based: Darmstadt, Germany

596th Maintenance Company, 3rd Corps Support Cmd., V Corps

Supporting: Operation Iraqi Freedom

Died: April 20, 2004

Qasim (east of), Iraq

Married, 1 child

Gender: Male

Hometown: Azusa

High School: Azusa High (Azusa)

Foreign Country of Birth: Costa Rica

Burial: Forest Lawn Memorial-Park, Covina Hills

Harris Kelly was born in Costa Rica and came to the U.S. as a toddler. He met his wife when they were both in the Army. She left the service after giving birth to their daughter.

Patrick D. Tillman, 04/22/2004

Christopher A. Gibson, 04/17/2004

16 memories of Leroy Harris Kelly III

“

Tragically, I was with PFC Harris-Kelley when his accident occured and the precise moment of his unexpected and untimely death. The extent of his severe injuries were far greater to overcome than the 42 minutes of CPR that I personally administered to his young body along with the assistance of many officers in our unit. I know he would be pleased to know and I hope that his family finds some comfort in knowing that his unit reacted instantaneously to secure the area to avoid ambush where his accident occured and that countless enlisted soldiers and officers did EVERYTHING to try to save his life and that of his co-driver. Miraculously, that soldier, SGT Worthen, did live to wear the patch of the Mighty 596th Maintenance Company yet another day thanks in part by the Grace of God and the efforts of all those involved that fateful day almost 5 years ago. My deepest condolences go out to his family and his friends, he was very well liked in the unit and his impressions of Michael Jackson when I needed a good laugh were a fond memory that I will carry with me - all the rest of my days. Respectfully, SSG Paul E. Dowdle III, Supply Sergeant / Armorer of the Mighty 596th MT. Co.

” — SSG Paul E. Dowdle III (Ret.), April 15, 2009 at 4:58 p.m.

“

Leroy and I went to High School and were in band together. He was a character! He always had a way of making everyone laugh wherever he went with his Michael Jackson impressions or just being himself; outgoing and fun. We use to raz each other a bit all in good fun at band events. I still have the necklace he used to wear to school everyday, he had no intention of giving it to me but he wouldn't take it back either :) I think i'll keep it forever. Someone earlier mentioned Leroy's ethnicity... I'll touch on that... Leroy bridged the gap for us at our school when the black and hispanic wars were going on strongly. He separated fights, stood up for what he believed in and encouraged peace. I think it also helped that he knew spanish, was on the basketball team and was considered a "band nerd" Everyone knew Leroy, loved Leroy and respected Leroy so the division soon became unity. He was the type of man that all men should strive to be. Missing him still.

” — Andrea (Soffera) Grieve, April 7, 2012 at 8:41 p.m.

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