Thomas R. McKelvey

Retired Navy Commander Thomas Robert McKelvey, 97, formerly of Charleston, SC passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at Lake Wylie Assisted Living, Lake Wylie, SC.

A graveside memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 26, 2016 in the Cemetery of Old St. Andrews Parish Church, Charleston, SC with the Rev. Marshall Huey officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the Gilchrist Hall.

Mr. McKelvey was born August 3, 1919 in Charleston, SC to the late Thomas R. McKelvey, Sr. and Jessie Williams McKelvey. He was a graduate of Berkeley High School and attended the University of South Carolina before entering the Navy as an aviation cadet at Pensacola, FL. Graduating in October 1941, he reported to Patrol Squadron 23 (PBY's) based on Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, just in time to witness the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941.

He participated in the Battle of Midway in June 1942, operating out of Midway Island. During the days following the battle, he and his crew landed at sea twice rescuing downed carrier aircraft crews. After a year and a half of operations in the mid and southwest Pacific with VP-23, he returned to the states for leave. He then reported to Bombing Squadron 139 at Whidbey Island, WA. This squadron, flying twin-engine land based bombers, (PV-i's), deployed to the Aleutians in 1943. In January 1944, Lt. McKelvey volunteered to be a part of the three plane group which made the first night flight over the cold waters of the northern Pacific to attack targets in the Japanese Kurile Islands. These three crews formed the nucleus of a tactical offensive which became known as the "Empire Express" attacking the Japanese homeland for the first time since the famous Doolittle raid of April 1942.

Transferred to transport aircraft after the war, Mr. McKelvey flew the Berlin Airlift in 1948-49, completing over 100 missions between Frankfurt and Berlin. He graduated from the General Line School and the Naval War College in Newport, RI and later served three years on the staff of the Naval War College. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, two air medals, and the Pearl Harbor Survivors' Commemorative Medal.

Employed in the Personnel Department of the Medical University of South Carolina for several years, he retired in 1983. He was a longtime member of the Charleston Civitan Club and Old St. Andrews Parish Church, Charleston, SC. Mr. McKelvey was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Freels McKelvey.

Survivors are his step-son Dr. Ernest L. Myrick (Elaine) of Clover, SC; step-daughter Linda M. Cataldo (Nick) of San Bernadino, CA; grandchildren Dr. Catherine Myrick, Richard Myrick (Carmen) all of Clover, SC, Jay Cataldo of San Bernadino, CA; and great grandsons Peyton and Nash Myrick of Clover, SC.

Memorials may be made to Old St. Andrews Parish Church, 2604 Ashely River Rd., Charleston, SC 29414, Clover First Baptist Church Building Fund, 117 S. Main Street, Clover, SC 29710, or Agape Hospice of York, 817 E. Liberty St., York, SC 29745.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff of Lake Wylie Assisted Living and Agape' Hospice of York for the Care they provided.

Online condolences may be made at www.mlfordsons.com

M.L. Ford & Sons Funeral Home, Clover, SC is serving the family of Mr. McKelvey.