John F. Kelly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Kelly
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Kelly in 2017
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| 28th White House Chief of Staff | |
| In office July 31, 2017 – January 2, 2019 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy | Kirstjen Nielsen James W. Carroll Zachary Fuentes |
| Preceded by | Reince Priebus |
| Succeeded by | Mick Mulvaney (acting) |
| 5th United States Secretary of Homeland Security | |
| In office January 20, 2017 – July 31, 2017 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy | Elaine Duke |
| Preceded by | Jeh Johnson |
| Succeeded by | Kirstjen Nielsen |
| Commander of the United States Southern Command | |
| In office November 19, 2012 – January 16, 2016 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Douglas M. Fraser |
| Succeeded by | Kurt W. Tidd |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Francis Kelly
May 11, 1950 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse |
Karen Hernest
(m. 1976) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of Massachusetts Boston (BA) Georgetown University (MA) National Defense University (MS) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Maritime Service United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1969 (USMS) 1970–1972 (USMC) 1972–1975 (inactive reserves) 1975–2016 (USMC) |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | United States Southern Command 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion Multinational Force West |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
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John Francis Kelly (born May 11, 1950) is an American who used to be a political advisor. He is a retired U.S. Marine Corps general. He worked as the White House chief of staff for President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2019.
Before that, he was the Secretary of Homeland Security in the Trump administration. He also led the United States Southern Command, which is in charge of military operations in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
Kelly joined the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He became an officer after college and moved up in rank. He retired as a four-star general in 2016.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John Francis Kelly was born on May 11, 1950, in Boston, Massachusetts. His father was a postal worker. John grew up in the Brighton area of Boston.
In 1970, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in an infantry group. In 1972, he left active duty to go to college.
He returned to the Marines in 1975 and became a second lieutenant. In 1976, he graduated from the University of Massachusetts Boston. He later earned two master's degrees: one from Georgetown School of Foreign Service in 1984 and another from the National Defense University in 1995.
Military Career Highlights
After college, Kelly returned to the Marine Corps. He served in many different roles, including leading rifle platoons and companies. He also served on aircraft carriers.
In 1987, Kelly became an instructor at the Basic School in Quantico, Virginia. He taught young officers how to be infantry leaders.
He later commanded the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion in California. In 1994, he attended the National War College and then worked as a liaison officer to the U.S. House of Representatives.
In 1999, Kelly worked in Belgium as a special assistant. In 2001, he returned to the U.S. and served with the Second Marine Division.
In 2002, he was with the 1st Marine Division and spent much of his time in Iraq. In March 2003, he was promoted to brigadier general while in Iraq. This was a rare event, as it was the first time a Marine Corps colonel was promoted in an active combat zone since 1951.
In April 2003, Kelly led a group called Task Force Tripoli in Iraq. He later became a legislative assistant to the Commandant of the Marine Corps.
In 2007, he was promoted to major general and commanded the I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in Iraq. He returned to the U.S. in 2009.
Kelly was promoted to lieutenant general in 2011 and then to full general in 2012. He became the commander of the U.S. Southern Command, overseeing military operations in Central and South America. He retired from the military in January 2016.
Secretary of Homeland Security
On December 7, 2016, President-elect Donald Trump chose John Kelly to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This is a very important job in the U.S. government.
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The United States Senate confirmed him as Secretary of Homeland Security on January 20, 2017, with a strong vote of 88 to 11. He was sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence that same evening.
As Secretary, Kelly was in charge of protecting the U.S. from threats both inside and outside the country. He focused on things like border security and fighting terrorism. He believed that building a wall on the U.S.–Mexico border was very important.
He also spoke about the constant threat of terrorism, saying that people were protected by amazing individuals every day.
White House Chief of Staff
On July 28, 2017, President Trump appointed Kelly to be his White House Chief of Staff. This is one of the most powerful jobs in the White House, as the chief of staff manages the White House staff and controls access to the president. Kelly took office on July 31, 2017.
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When he started, many people hoped Kelly would bring more order and discipline to the White House. He made some changes to the White House staff early in his time there.
Kelly's role was to help the White House run smoothly and to make sure the president's plans were carried out. He was known for having strong views on national security and immigration.
Kelly left his role as White House chief of staff at the end of 2018. Mick Mulvaney replaced him.
Personal Life
John Kelly married Karen Hernest in 1976. They have three children together: Robert, John Jr., and Kathleen.
On November 9, 2010, Kelly's son, First Lieutenant Robert Michael Kelly, was killed while serving in Sangin, Afghanistan. He stepped on a land mine during a patrol. Robert Kelly was 29 years old and was on his third tour of duty.
Because of this, John Kelly became the highest-ranking American military officer to lose a child in the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan. His other son is also a Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel.
Military Awards
John Kelly received many military awards and decorations during his long career. Some of his top awards include:
- Defense Distinguished Service Medal
- Defense Superior Service Medal
- Legion of Merit (with a "V" device for valor in combat)
See also
- List of people who have held multiple United States Cabinet-level positions
