John Francis Kelly (born May 11, 1950) is a retired United States Marine Corps General.
He was the 28th White House Chief of Staff from July 31, 2017 to January 2, 2019. Kelly was the 5th United States Secretary of Homeland Security, serving from January through July 2017.
John Kelly | |
---|---|
28th White House Chief of Staff | |
In office July 31, 2017 – January 2, 2019 | |
President | Donald Trump |
Deputy | Joe Hagin Rick Dearborn |
Preceded by | Reince Priebus |
Succeeded by | Mick Mulvaney (Acting) |
5th United States Secretary of Homeland Security | |
In office January 20, 2017 – July 31, 2017 | |
President | Donald Trump |
Deputy | Elaine Duke |
Preceded by | Jeh Johnson |
Succeeded by | Kirstjen Nielsen |
Commander of United States Southern Command | |
In office November 19, 2012 – January 16, 2016 | |
President | Barack Obama |
Preceded by | Douglas Fraser |
Succeeded by | Kurt Tidd |
Personal details | |
Born | John Francis Kelly May 11, 1950 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Political party | Independent |
Spouse(s) | Karen Hernest |
Children | 3 |
Education | University of Massachusetts, Boston (BA) Georgetown University (MA) National Defense University (MS) |
Net worth | $4 million |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1970–1972 1972–1976 (inactive reserves) 1976–2016 |
Rank | General |
Commands | United States Southern Command 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion Multinational Force West |
Battles/wars | Persian Gulf War • Operation Desert Storm Iraq War |
Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) with Valor |
He is the former Commander of United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). Kelly last served as the commanding general of the Multi-National Force—West in Iraq from February 2008 to February 2009, and as the commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North in October 2009.
Kelly was born on May 11, 1950 in Boston, Massachusetts, into an Irish Catholic family.
He served for one year as a United States Merchant Marine. Kelly initially enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1970, and was discharged from active duty as a sergeant in 1972.
Kelly received a Master of Science degree in National Security Studies from the Georgetown School of Foreign Service in 1984. He also studied at the University of Massachusetts, Boston.
On December 7, 2016, it was reported that then-President-elect Donald Trump nominated Kelly to be the fifth United States Secretary of Homeland Security.
On January 20, 2017, Kelly was confirmed as Secretary of Homeland Security by the United States Senate with a vote of 88-11. On that evening he was sworn in by Vice-President Pence.
On July 28 2017, he was appointed to replace Reince Priebus as White House Chief of Staff.
Early into his tenure, media outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post and FiveThirtyEight speculated that Kelly would bring moderation and discipline to the White House. In August 2017, early into Kelly's tenure, the Washington Post wrote that Kelly had "left no discernible imprint on the White House's philosophy" and that it was unclear if he would bring calm and rigor to the White House.
On December 8, 2018, Trump announced that Kelly would be leaving the position by the end of the year. He left the office on January 2, 2019.
Kelly is married to Karen Hernest. They have three children.
In 2010, Kelly’s 29-year-old son, First Lieutenant Robert Kelly, was killed in action when he stepped on a landmine while leading a platoon of Marines on a patrol in Sangin, Afghanistan. Robert Kelly's death made John Kelly the highest-ranking military officer to lose a son or daughter in Iraq or Afghanistan.
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