The Triumphant Homecoming of Lt. Thomas V. Kelly Jr. to Livermore After 81 Long Years

A Hero's Return: Lt. Thomas V. Kelly Jr.'s Long-Awaited Homecoming

This Memorial Day weekend holds a special significance as Livermore, California, prepares to welcome back one of its own—2nd Lt. Thomas V. Kelly Jr., a World War II bombardier. In a poignant ceremony marking the end of an 81-year wait, Lt. Kelly will be laid to rest with full military honors. Born on January 27, 1923, in Livermore, he was a local boy through and through. His journey began at St. Michael Catholic Church and culminated at Livermore High School, where he graduated before answering the call to serve his country in the armed forces.

Assigned to the 90th Bombardment Group, 320th Squadron, Lt. Kelly flew numerous missions across the vast Pacific Theatre during the war. Tragically, on March 11, 1944, his B-24 bomber was shot down over Hansa Bay, Papua New Guinea, marking the last known whereabouts of him and the ten other members of his crew, all of whom were declared Missing In Action (MIA).

For decades, his family and the tight-knit Livermore community held on to hope that he would miraculously return. In 2017, a breakthrough came when a nonprofit group named Project Recover located his downed aircraft. Following this discovery, a recovery mission by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in 2023 yielded positive identification of Lt. Kelly's remains, allowing for this significant homecoming.

The solemnity of the occasion will not go unmarked. Livermore will honor Lt. Kelly with a series of solemn events, including a motorcade procession accompanied by local law enforcement and veteran associations. The Lying in Repose will take place at Monte Vista Memorial Gardens and Mortuary, where the public is invited to pay their respects on Sunday, May 25. The following day, close family and friends will gather for funeral rites at St. Michael Catholic Church, with the interment at St. Michael Cemetery reserved for family members due to space constraints.

In a fitting tribute to Lt. Kelly's sacrifice during the war, Monte Vista Memorial Gardens has announced that its planned veterans memorial will be dedicated in his honor. Cousin Scott Althaus reflected on the significance of this moment: "Tommy left Livermore in 1942 to do his part in the war, and like so many others in that conflict, he ended up giving more than he expected. After more than eight decades, he is finally coming home to a family that never forgot him, and to a community who can help us remember him."

As the community gathers to pay tribute, it stands as a reminder of the profound sacrifices made by service members like Lt. Kelly. His long-awaited return serves not only as a celebration of his life and legacy but also as a powerful testament to the enduring love and commitment of a family and community that has kept his memory alive for over eight decades. For those wishing to learn more about the ceremony details, information can be found on the Monte Vista Memorial Gardens website.

This Memorial Day, Livermore not only honors a fallen hero but also reinforces the bonds of community and remembrance, ensuring that Lt. Thomas V. Kelly Jr.'s legacy will live on for generations to come.