A Pittsburgh street kid threw live mortar shells by hand to save his brothers.

Added: 2026-05-31

In September 1943, Corporal Charles 'Commando' Kelly, a Pittsburgh street kid who had run with gangs, demonstrated extraordinary courage during World War II when he was trapped alone in a storehouse near Altavilla, Italy, facing waves of German soldiers. After his automatic rifle locked from overheating and his second rifle also jammed, Kelly picked up 60mm mortar shells, pulled the safety pins, and hurled them at the enemy by hand. When his sergeant ordered evacuation, Kelly refused to move, staying alone at the window firing a rocket launcher until every fellow soldier escaped safely. Only then did he withdraw and rejoin his unit. America awarded him the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions.