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BOSTON
- Thursday, September 7, 2023 - Today, Mayor Michelle Wu joined Boston’s
Veterans Services Commissioner Robert Santiago, the Mayor’s Office of Arts
& Culture, the Community Engagement Cabinet, Massachusetts
Secretary of Veterans’ Services Jon Santiago, and West Roxbury community
members to unveil a new mural honoring Captain Tom Kelley created by local
artist Laura DeDonato Wiatt. The Mayor also proclaimed September 7, 2023 as
“Captain Thomas Kelley Day,” highlighting his contributions to his country
and local community, including a 30 year career in the U.S. Navy. The
mural, located on the Boston Ale House, is the result of local residents
reaching out to the City requesting a tribute for Captain Kelley, a Medal
of Honor recipient who grew up in West Roxbury.
“Public
art helps us highlight the values and achievements of our communities,
telling the story of sacrifices and leadership that helped form Boston’s
neighborhoods and our country. Commemorating Captain Tom Kelley’s decades
of military service adds to the fabric of West Roxbury’s character,”
said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m grateful to the local artist,
community members, and city departments that made this artistic vision a
reality, and most of all to Captain Kelley for his example of selfless
leadership and dedicated service.”
Captain
Kelley was raised in West Roxbury and served in various roles in the U.S.
Navy. In 1969 in Vietnam, Captain Kelley was leading eight river assault
boats to extract American troops when one craft became disabled. Captain
Kelley ordered the remaining seven craft to circle the disabled boat and
put his own craft directly in the line of fire, when his boat was struck by
a rocket propelled grenade. Captain Kelley was thrown to the deck and
suffered head injuries as a result of shrapnel. He was unable to move
himself from the deck or speak clearly into a radio, but he relayed orders
through his men and successfully moved the boats to a safer area before
calling for his own medical assistance.
Captain
Kelley was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Nixon at the White House
on May 14, 1970. After retiring from the Navy after a 30 year career,
Captain Kelley worked for the Department of Defense and then as Secretary
of the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services.
“Medal
of Honor recipient Captain Kelley is an American hero deserving of this
dedication. This mural is a special 'thank you' from the community for his
selfless devotion to our country,” said Boston Veterans Services
Commissioner Robert Santiago. “As a city we recognize and honor our
veterans and their families everyday. As an example of that, Boston has
hosted the Medal of Honor convention for an unprecedented four times with
the last one being in 2021. Just recently we dedicated the beginning of
Route 20 here in Boston as Medal of Honor Highway and had the honor of
having Captain Kelley at that dedication.”
“We’re
excited to partner with the Office of Neighborhood Services to welcome this
new mural to West Roxbury,” said Kara Elliott-Ortega, Chief of Arts
& Culture. “Public art plays an important role in preserving public
memory, and we’re proud to support a mural that uplifts the legacy of a
Boston native and Medal of Honor recipient.”
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