Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient To Be Honored With Banner

Among the many Bethel veterans to be honored with a Bethel Hometown Heroes Banner, will be a Medal of Honor recipient. Bethel native Allan J. Kellogg, Jr. served during the Vietnam War and received the highest military decoration in the country for his heroism, the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Kellogg was born on October 1st 1943. He was raised and attended schools in Bethel. After two years of high school, he asked his father’s permission to leave school and was told he could, but only if he joined one of the services. On November 14th, 1960 Kellogg joined the Marine Corps in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Kellogg now lives in Hawaii.

Kellogg, a platoon sergeant with Company G, was injured during the Vietnam War on March 11, 1970, when he threw himself on a grenade thrown by an enemy soldier. Kellogg absorbed the effects of the detonation, saving fellow soldiers. Although suffering multiple injuries, Kellogg directed his men until all had maneuvered to safety. Kellogg was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions that day.

“By his heroic and decisive action in risking his life to save the lives of his comrades, G/Sgt. Kellogg reflected the highest credit upon himself and upheld the finest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service.”

The Bethel Patriotic Association with support from the Town of Bethel sponsors the Bethel Hometown Heroes Banner Program. The banners will line the sides of School Street and will be displayed from Memorial Day through Veterans Day.

Banner locations are still available. The application can be downloaded by visiting the website www.bethelhometownheroes.org or by stopping in at the First Selectman's Office at the Bethel Town Hall. Applications require the filled out form, a photograph copy of the hero preferably in military uniform, proof of honorable discharge, photo release acknowledgement and a check for $140 or $200, which will cover the printing and installation costs. Even if you were not honoring a veteran, donations to support this effort would be welcomed to help offset costs.

The application form, photograph copy of the hero preferably in military uniform, proof of honorable discharge, photo release acknowledgement and check made out to the American Legion Post 100 must be submitted together and mailed to: Town of Bethel, Clifford J. Hurgin Municipal Center, 1 School Street, Bethel, CT 06801. Profits from the program will be used to help support the mission of the Bethel Patriotic Association.