Maj Karen I. Kelly, USMC Ret. Oral History

title:

Maj Karen I. Kelly, USMC Ret. Oral History

creator:

Kelly, Karen Isabel (1947 December 25 - )

subject:

Marine Corps

description:

Karen Kelly was born in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina on December 25, 1947. Her father served in the Marine Corp for 30 years. She graduated high school in 1965 and attended Lees-McRae College for two years before transferring to the University of South Florida, graduating in 1969 with a BA in Physical Education. She enlisted in the Marine Corps in March 1969 after college and went to basic training in October 1969 as a part of the first class go through training in the winter. She went to Admin School afterwards, and was assigned to Cherry Point, North Carolina afterwards, staying there for 18 months. She was then assigned to HQMC Henderson Hall in Washington, DC for another 18 months. In August 1973, she became the first woman to be assigned to Marine Barracks Naval Training Center, Illinois, where she was in charge of the colors and the correctional facility until 1977. From 1977-1980, she was stationed at the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot in San Diego, California. From 1980 to 1981 she was the adjunct for the 3rd Marine Base in Okinawa, Japan and went on several trips to Korea as part of Operation Team Spirit. She then went to Quantico, Virginia from 1981 to 1983 as an instructor in the management school there. She was then assigned as a watch officer to the Marine Corps Command Center in Quantico from August 1983 to July 1986, where she was the first woman officer. The bombing of Beirut, Lebanon happened during this time. Her role was to facilitate communications to the Commandant. She was also head of the Retired Affairs program during her time there. From 1986 to 1990, she was assigned to Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, Georgia as an adjutant, responsible for admin, publications, mail room, and files of the base. She retired in July 1990, and soon after received a masters degree from Roosevelt University in Education, Supervision, and Administration. She moved to Clearwater, Florida and spends much of her time volunteering. When she left the service Kelly had reached the rank of major, and for her service she was awarded a Navy Commendation Medal. No transcript of this interview is currently available.

publisher:

Military Women's Memorial Foundation

contributor:

Wilson, Eleanor M.

date:

2006-10-10

type:

Audio

format:

Cassette

identifier:

514; 2006.514

source:

MCHC | CLIR - Recordings at Risk

language:

English

relation:

048484

coverage:

Vietnam War (1964-1975) | 1970s | 1980s | 1969-90

rights:

Unrestricted