Gerald C. Kelleher

PORT ORANGE, Fla. Brigadier General Gerald C. Kelleher. 95, of Albany, went to Heaven on November 23, 2003. General Kelleher will be interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on December 23, 2003. Brigadier General Gerald C. Kelleher was born in Albany on July 8, 1908, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Kelleher. He was a lifelong resident of Albany. He was married for over 60 years to his childhood sweetheart, the late Mary Rose Kelleher. He was also the father of the late Kenneth P. Kelleher; brother of the late Betty Snyder and Virginia Hallock. General Kelleher was schooled at Christian Brothers Academy, RPI and National War College. General Kelleher was Albany's highest medal award winner and one of the highest award winners in New York State for gallantry in World War II, Korea and the Vietnam War. He is the recipient of a Presidential Citation, Combat Infantry-man's Badge, two Distinguished Crosses, Silver Star with six clusters, a Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star with (V) device and Purple Heart. He also has been honored with Britain's second highest award, the Distinguished Service Order for action during the Battle for Standaarbutten, Holland. As Commander of the 414th Infantry Regiment of the 104th Timberwolf Division in Germany and, as a colonel, he led the first United States Infantry forces to engage the Germans in World War II. During the African Campaign, he was captured twice by the famed Afrika Corps and managed to escape both times. He also headed a US Security detail at the Neurenburg Trials. In addition to Britain's award, he was also awarded France's Croix de Guerre with Palm, The Russian Order of Suvorou and he is an Honorary Colonel in the 2nd Spahis, a famous French Cavalry unit. In 1981, General Kelleher was hosted by Governor Hugh Carey at the Governors Mansion in Albany. The event was held so that the Governor could pay off a bet that the General and he made in France in March of 1945. A case of beer to the first to reach occupied Cologne. The Governor praised his one-time superior as the finest soldier I have ever met in the uniform of the US Army. General Kelleher commanded an infantry regiment in Europe in World War II and led the 35th Infantry Regiment in 1950 and 1951 in Korea. He also lived and served in Japan as an adviser to the Japanese Army. General Kelleher was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Albany Elks and was a member of the Albany Hibernians. Survivors include his wife, Janeatte (Smith) Kelleher of Cohoes; his loving son, Neil C. Kelleher and his wife, Betty of Port Orange; brother to Paul Kelleher and his wife, Mary; sister, Jean Kelleher; daughter-in-law, Jean Ann Kelleher; grandfather to Robert Kelleher (Sheila), James Kelleher (Sherie), William Kelleher (Cindy), Thomas Kelleher (Linda), Gerald Kelleher (Linda), Michael Kelleher (Lynn), Mary Beth West (Rod), Patricia Kelleher-Cole, Kathy Ansel (Zack), Patrick Kelleher (Lisa); also survived by 26 great and great-great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews. 95 years of an extraordinary life is impossible to capture here. Suffice it to say General Kelleher has earned his eternal peace.