Donn Kelsey

U.S. Navy

U.S.A.F.


DONN R. KELSEY
LT. COL. USAF (Ret)
KOREA - VIETNAM

Donn joined the Navy Reserves in the spring of 1947 and in June of 1948 went on active duty with Willis "Whitey" Lohmeier, Jim Farrell, Charles "Tuffy" Schumann, and Glenn & Alvin Kuhse. Probably one of the largest groups to enter the service from Manning at one time. All volunteered for submarine duty and went through sub school together in New London, Connecticut.

He served aboard the U.S.S. Remora SS487 and later at the U.S. Naval Gun Factory in Washington, DC and the U.S. Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland as a corpsman. He was discharged from active duty as a 2nd Class Petty Officer in 1953 but remained in the Naval Reserves. Donn attended college under the G.I. Bill and graduated from Sacramento State College in 1956. While in college he married fellow student Harlene Ann "Harley" Kloss on January 28, 1956. Following graduation he accepted a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the USAF Medical Services Corps. He received his Master's Degree in Hospital Administration from Northwestern University under Air Force sponsorship and spent 18 years serving in various military medical facilities stateside, the Philippines and the Azores, Portugal. As a military marksman he was 1965 Ohio State Skeet Champion and the next year Runner Up in the Armed Forces Championships. In 1970 he was the Portuguese-American Trap Champion.

Donn retired in 1974 with 27 years service in the grade of Lieutenant Colonel and settled in the Sacramento, CA area with his wife, son and daughter. He followed his wife into TV and print commercials and then as a background actor in big screen and TV movies. Both earned membership in the Screen Actors Guild with Donn being cast in scores of commercials and over 30 films.

Colonel Kelsey maintains his contacts with Manning through visits, reunions, the Monitor, the Alumni Newsletter and is a life member of American Legion Post #22.


Donn is the son of Dr. Raymond and Florence (Meyers) Kelsey.

Note from Donn:
Joining me was Willis "Whitey" Lohmeier, Jim Farrell, Charles "Tuffy" Schuman, and Glenn & Alvin Kuhse. Probably one of the largest groups to enter the service from Manning at one time. We all volunteered for submarine duty and went through sub school together in New London, Connecticut.
After graduation the Kuhse boys were assigned subs on the east coast, I was assigned to the USS Remora at Mare Island, California and the other three went on to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Alvin & Jim stayed in the Navy and retired, Glenn & Tuffy got out after their hitch, while Whitey & I switched to the Air Force and stayed in until retirement. (I switched the Air Force when I learned they didn't have submarines!!).
I retired with a total of 27 years service.


Manning Monitor
April 22, 2004

Dear Editor,
I read with great interest the article in the April 1 Monitor of the awarding of Certificates of Appreciation to the WWII veterans. I salute them and I salute those who are no longer with us. What a nice gesture on the part of the American Legion.

I could not help but think of may father, who was one dedicated legionnaire. I'm sure more than a few of those honored will remember Lt. Colonel "DOC" Kelsey, USAF Ret., a veteran of WWI, WWII, and Korea. He was on the building committee that resulted in the present Legion Hall and as a boy he made me carry tile to the masons constructing that building. I often wondered if the reason we lived at 818 Park Avenue was so he could be closer to it.

From the outbreak of the Korean War until his death my birthday present each year was my renewed membership card for Post #22. In his honor I became a life member that year.

Again, I salute the honorees, I'm proud to be a member of this great organization and regret I was unable to attend the banquet.

Sincerely,
Donn R. Kelsey
Lt. Colonel, USAF Ret.