MSG William A. O’Kelly is a native of New York. In July 2009 he attended One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, GA, and was awarded the primary Military Occupational Specialty of Infantryman and secondary MOS of Indirect Fire Infantryman (11B/11C)
MSG O’Kelly’s previous assignments and duty positions include Able Company 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment Squad Automatic Rifleman and Team Leader (Fort Richardson, AK); Alpha Company 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant (Fort Bragg, NC); Charlie Company 4th Battalion Army and Ranger Training Brigade Ranger Instructor and Battalion Air NCO (Fort Benning, GA); 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment Platoon Sergeant and 1SG (Fort Bragg, NC). MSG O’Kelly has deployed to Afghanistan multiple times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as well as an Immediate Response Force deployment in support of Operation European Assure, Deter and Reinforce.
MSG O’Kelly’s schools and military education include Airborne, Ranger, Jumpmaster, and Pathfinder, Warrior Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Maneuver-Senior Leaders Course, Basic Army Instructor Course, Common Faculty Development-Instructor Course, Counter IED Master Trainer, Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program Course, Emergency Medical Technician Course.
His military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (6 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (4th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (1 CS), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 3), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 3), NATO Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation (1 OLC), Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Basic, Senior and Master Parachutist Badge, and Pathfinder Badge.