He had grown up in Cranston, Rhode Island graduating from Cranston High School.   He joined the Rhode Island Air National Guard, 143rd Tactical Airlift Group, where he was a loadmaster.

Kelley had worked at Bath Iron Works for the past 14 years.  He and his wife were married for 25 years.  He was also a Boy Scout leader.

This was his third active duty deployment since 2001.  One of his MOS's was medic.  His unit, stationed outside the city of An Nasiriyah,  was tasked with providing security for bases and convoys in Iraq.

He leaves behind a wife, three children, and three grandchildren.

Websites Honoring SSG Kelly.

Kennebec Journal Obituary.

In Remembrance.

Guest Book for Staff Sgt. Dale J. Kelly.

Obituary  - Bangor Daily News.

Obituary - Providence Journal.

Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Faces of the Fallen.  The Washington Post.

Dale James Kelly.  The Gulf War Veterans Memorial.

SSG. Dale Kelly Jr. 

News Articles About SSG Kelly.

May 8, 2006.  "Two Soldiers With Maine Ties Killed in Iraq".  WABI TV5 Local News.

May 8, 2006.  "2 Maine National Guard soldiers killed in Iraq".  Seacoast Online.

May 8, 2006.  "Iraq Bombing Kills Two Maine National Guardsmen".  CBS 4 Boston.

May 8, 2006.  "Governor comments on deaths of Maine Guardsmen".  The VillageSoup.

May 8, 2006.  "Two Maine Soldiers Killed In Iraq".  WMTW News.

May 9, 2006.  "Two Maine Soldiers Killed in Iraq".  The Morning Sentinel Online.

May 9, 2006.  "Something Had Happened".  Portland Press Herald.

May 9, 2006.  "Richmond soldier dies".  Kennebec Journal Online.

May 9, 2006.  "'The perfect neighbor' dies in Iraq".  The Times Record News.

May 9, 2006.  "2 Maine guardsmen die in Iraq".  Bangor News.

May 9, 2006.  "Snowe mourns death of Maine National Guard soldiers".  Office of Senator Snowe.

May 10, 2006.  "A sad day in Richmond".  The Times Record News.

May 10, 2006.  "Maine Soldier's Remains To Return To U.S.".  News 8 WMTW.

May 10, 2006.  "A life of leading, caring for others".  Portland Press Herald.

May 10, 2006.  "Iraq blast's aftermath tremendous in Maine".  Kennebec Journal Online.

May 12, 2006.  "DoD Identifies Army Casualties".  U.S. Department of Defense News Release.

May 12, 2007.  "Governor Provides Further Information on Maine Guardsmen".  Office of the Governor.

May 12, 2006.  "Soldier says he owes his life to guard members killed in attack".  The Boston Globe.

May 12, 2006.  "Fallen soldier's actions helped save private".  Morning Sentinel Online.

May 13, 2006.  "Casualties Identified".  American Forces Information Service News Articles.

May 13, 2006.  "Governor Provides Further Information on Maine Guardsmen".  Governor John Baldacci.

May 13, 2006.  "Statement on the Latest Maine Casualties in Iraq".  Congressman Tom Allen.

May 13, 2006.  "Fallen troops remembered".  Seacoast Online.

May 15, 2006.  "Guardsman's funeral to be held Saturday in Brunswick".  The Times Record News.

May 19, 2006.  "Maine Soldier To Be Laid To Rest Saturday".  WMTW.

May 20, 2006.  "Hundreds pay last respects to Guardsman killed in Iraq".  The Boston Globe.

May 20, 2006.  "Maine Soldier Laid to Rest".  WMTW News.

May 20, 2006.  "Staff Sergeant Dale Kelly Laid To Rest".  WCSH 6.

May 21, 2006.  "Mainers pay tribute to fallen Guardsman".  MaineToday.com.

May 21, 2006.  "Emotional tribute paid to Guardsman".  Kennebec Journal Online.

May 22, 2006.  "Honoring A Life of Service".  The Times Record.

June 9, 2006.  "Injured soldier draws strength from sergeant's widow".  Boston.com.

June 9, 2006.  "War brings Maine families together".  Morning Sentinel Online.

July 2, 2006.  "Family coming to grips with Maine soldier's death in Iraq".  Press Herald.

August 19, 2006.  "Ceremony Honors 3 Fallen Heroes".  Rhode Island Garden of Heroes ceremony for Dale Kelly.

March 12, 2007.  "Snowe welcomes Maine guard troops home from Iraq".  Senator Snowe Press Room.