James was the youngest son of James Hiram Sr., and Martha L. Anderson Kelsey who were married on 27 April 1901 in Kings County, NY. James' sibling was John Donald Kelsey who was also a Naval Academy graduate class 1923. He retired as a Rear Admiral in June 1953.
The Boston Globe (Boston, MA) - 14 Aug 1934
Stoughton Naval Flyer Drowned
Stoughton, Aug 14 -- Ensign James H. Kelsey Jr, formerly of Stoughton, died yesterday off the Virginia Capes when his fighter plane from the aircraft carrier Lexington crashed into the sea during maneuvers. Ensign Kelsey was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James H. Kelsey of Stoughton, where he had lived until he attended the US Naval Academy in Annapolis in the summer of 1927. Born on 27 May 1910 in Stoughton, he was educated in the public schools, graduating with honors as president of his class in June, 1927 from Stoughton High School. He was the recipient of the Edwin A. Jones $100 prize for outstanding excellence in his studies.
A week after his graduation Kelsey sat for the entrance examination to enter Annapolis. He was admitted for the four-year course on 11 July. He graduated 87th in a class of 441 midshipman. Upon his graduation 04 Jun 1931, Ensign Kelsey reported on board the new heavy cruiser, U.S.S. Northampton (CA-26) for his mandatory sea-duty tour on 08 Aug 1931. Later, he was stationed on the Pacific coast. It was while out in the West that he married his childhood sweetheart, Miss Marjorie Jeannette Drake, daughter of Mrs and Mrs Winslow Bradford Drake of Stoughton, in Los Angeles in June 1932.
Subsequently, Kelsey detached from the Northampton in April 1933, and he began flight training at the Naval Aviation School in Pensacola, FL on 29 May 1933. He was awarded his naval aviator gold wings on 22 Mar 1934 becoming naval aviator #4013. He was recently in Massachusetts to attend the wedding of his older brother, Ensign J. Donald Kelsey, in Canton. He returned to Norfolk, VA following his brother's wedding and was assigned to the U.S.S. Lexington.
Search for Body of Stoughton Flyer
Norfolk, VA, Aug 14 (A.P.) -- Search continues today for the body of Ensign James H. Kelsey Jr. of Stoughton, MA, killed yesterday afternoon when the navy scout fighter plane (Grumman type SF-1) he was flying during maneuvers with the aircraft carrier, Lexington, plunged into the sea 50 miles off Cape Henry.
In the meantime a navy board of investigation is sitting aboard the carrier in an attempt to learn why Ensign Kelsey's plane suddenly went out of control at a height of about 300 feet. A moment after the plane hit the surface, destroyers operating with the Lexington dashed to the rescue. They passed over the scene of the crash a few moments later, but all traces of the plane and its pilot had disappeared.
The Lexington and her sister ship, the Saratoga, resumed battle maneuvers today with their planes. The search for Ensign Kelsey's body is being conducted by two tugs, dispatched to the scene yesterday afternoon from the Norfolk Naval Base, and a mine-sweeper that had been operating with the fleet in maneuvers off the Cape. This is the first fatal crash that has occurred since the aircraft forces of the fleet moved into their base on Hampton Roads about six weeks ago. Ensign Kelsey is survived by his wife, Mrs. Marjorie Kelsey, residing in Stoughton.
The Boston Globe (Boston, MA) - 18 Aug 1934
No Trace of Body of Stoughton Flyer
Navy Has Been Searching Off Cape Henry 4 Days
The Navy Department, after four days search for the body of Ensign James H. Kelsey Jr, United States Navy, and the plane in which he was strapped to the seat, abandoned the search off Cape Henry last night, giving up all hopes of finding the body. Three government ships have been dragging the ocean for many miles around during the four-day period, and Lieut J. Donald Kelsey, brother of Ensign Kelsey, also of the United States Navy, has been with the crew in the search for his brother. Lieut Kelsey and B. Winslow Drake, father of Mrs James H. Kelsey Jr, wife of the ensign, left for home last night and are expected to arrive in Stoughton late this afternoon. Mrs Drake Stayed over until today, when she, in company with her daughter Marjorie, who married Ensign Kelsey in Los Angeles, less than three years ago, left today for their home in Stoughton, and are expected to arrive here Sunday.
----------------------------------------
Ironically, Ltjg Lance Edward "Lem" Massey who would later marry James' widow was also assigned to a squadron on board Lexington when James crashed. Lance and Marjorie were married in the fall of 1935 in Stoughton, MA. They were the parents of Lance Bradford and Walter Drake Massey. Lcdr Lance Massey was killed in action during the battle of Midway, 04 Jun 1942, when his torpedo plane was shot down. Mrs Massey died on 18 Nov 1983 in Coronado, CA. She was buried in Brookside Cemetery, Watertown, NY.
[Articles edited for content and bio compiled by G47]
Military Hall of Honor Honoree ID: 318774
The Boston Globe (Boston, MA) - 14 Aug 1934
Stoughton Naval Flyer Drowned
Stoughton, Aug 14 -- Ensign James H. Kelsey Jr, formerly of Stoughton, died yesterday off the Virginia Capes when his fighter plane from the aircraft carrier Lexington crashed into the sea during maneuvers. Ensign Kelsey was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James H. Kelsey of Stoughton, where he had lived until he attended the US Naval Academy in Annapolis in the summer of 1927. Born on 27 May 1910 in Stoughton, he was educated in the public schools, graduating with honors as president of his class in June, 1927 from Stoughton High School. He was the recipient of the Edwin A. Jones $100 prize for outstanding excellence in his studies.
A week after his graduation Kelsey sat for the entrance examination to enter Annapolis. He was admitted for the four-year course on 11 July. He graduated 87th in a class of 441 midshipman. Upon his graduation 04 Jun 1931, Ensign Kelsey reported on board the new heavy cruiser, U.S.S. Northampton (CA-26) for his mandatory sea-duty tour on 08 Aug 1931. Later, he was stationed on the Pacific coast. It was while out in the West that he married his childhood sweetheart, Miss Marjorie Jeannette Drake, daughter of Mrs and Mrs Winslow Bradford Drake of Stoughton, in Los Angeles in June 1932.
Subsequently, Kelsey detached from the Northampton in April 1933, and he began flight training at the Naval Aviation School in Pensacola, FL on 29 May 1933. He was awarded his naval aviator gold wings on 22 Mar 1934 becoming naval aviator #4013. He was recently in Massachusetts to attend the wedding of his older brother, Ensign J. Donald Kelsey, in Canton. He returned to Norfolk, VA following his brother's wedding and was assigned to the U.S.S. Lexington.
Search for Body of Stoughton Flyer
Norfolk, VA, Aug 14 (A.P.) -- Search continues today for the body of Ensign James H. Kelsey Jr. of Stoughton, MA, killed yesterday afternoon when the navy scout fighter plane (Grumman type SF-1) he was flying during maneuvers with the aircraft carrier, Lexington, plunged into the sea 50 miles off Cape Henry.
In the meantime a navy board of investigation is sitting aboard the carrier in an attempt to learn why Ensign Kelsey's plane suddenly went out of control at a height of about 300 feet. A moment after the plane hit the surface, destroyers operating with the Lexington dashed to the rescue. They passed over the scene of the crash a few moments later, but all traces of the plane and its pilot had disappeared.
The Lexington and her sister ship, the Saratoga, resumed battle maneuvers today with their planes. The search for Ensign Kelsey's body is being conducted by two tugs, dispatched to the scene yesterday afternoon from the Norfolk Naval Base, and a mine-sweeper that had been operating with the fleet in maneuvers off the Cape. This is the first fatal crash that has occurred since the aircraft forces of the fleet moved into their base on Hampton Roads about six weeks ago. Ensign Kelsey is survived by his wife, Mrs. Marjorie Kelsey, residing in Stoughton.
The Boston Globe (Boston, MA) - 18 Aug 1934
No Trace of Body of Stoughton Flyer
Navy Has Been Searching Off Cape Henry 4 Days
The Navy Department, after four days search for the body of Ensign James H. Kelsey Jr, United States Navy, and the plane in which he was strapped to the seat, abandoned the search off Cape Henry last night, giving up all hopes of finding the body. Three government ships have been dragging the ocean for many miles around during the four-day period, and Lieut J. Donald Kelsey, brother of Ensign Kelsey, also of the United States Navy, has been with the crew in the search for his brother. Lieut Kelsey and B. Winslow Drake, father of Mrs James H. Kelsey Jr, wife of the ensign, left for home last night and are expected to arrive in Stoughton late this afternoon. Mrs Drake Stayed over until today, when she, in company with her daughter Marjorie, who married Ensign Kelsey in Los Angeles, less than three years ago, left today for their home in Stoughton, and are expected to arrive here Sunday.
----------------------------------------
Ironically, Ltjg Lance Edward "Lem" Massey who would later marry James' widow was also assigned to a squadron on board Lexington when James crashed. Lance and Marjorie were married in the fall of 1935 in Stoughton, MA. They were the parents of Lance Bradford and Walter Drake Massey. Lcdr Lance Massey was killed in action during the battle of Midway, 04 Jun 1942, when his torpedo plane was shot down. Mrs Massey died on 18 Nov 1983 in Coronado, CA. She was buried in Brookside Cemetery, Watertown, NY.
[Articles edited for content and bio compiled by G47]
Military Hall of Honor Honoree ID: 318774
James was the youngest son of James Hiram Sr., and Martha L. Anderson Kelsey who were married on 27 April 1901 in Kings County, NY. James' sibling was John Donald Kelsey who was also a Naval Academy graduate class 1923. He retired as a Rear Admiral in June 1953.
The Boston Globe (Boston, MA) - 14 Aug 1934
Stoughton Naval Flyer Drowned
Stoughton, Aug 14 -- Ensign James H. Kelsey Jr, formerly of Stoughton, died yesterday off the Virginia Capes when his fighter plane from the aircraft carrier Lexington crashed into the sea during maneuvers. Ensign Kelsey was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James H. Kelsey of Stoughton, where he had lived until he attended the US Naval Academy in Annapolis in the summer of 1927. Born on 27 May 1910 in Stoughton, he was educated in the public schools, graduating with honors as president of his class in June, 1927 from Stoughton High School. He was the recipient of the Edwin A. Jones $100 prize for outstanding excellence in his studies.
A week after his graduation Kelsey sat for the entrance examination to enter Annapolis. He was admitted for the four-year course on 11 July. He graduated 87th in a class of 441 midshipman. Upon his graduation 04 Jun 1931, Ensign Kelsey reported on board the new heavy cruiser, U.S.S. Northampton (CA-26) for his mandatory sea-duty tour on 08 Aug 1931. Later, he was stationed on the Pacific coast. It was while out in the West that he married his childhood sweetheart, Miss Marjorie Jeannette Drake, daughter of Mrs and Mrs Winslow Bradford Drake of Stoughton, in Los Angeles in June 1932.
Subsequently, Kelsey detached from the Northampton in April 1933, and he began flight training at the Naval Aviation School in Pensacola, FL on 29 May 1933. He was awarded his naval aviator gold wings on 22 Mar 1934 becoming naval aviator #4013. He was recently in Massachusetts to attend the wedding of his older brother, Ensign J. Donald Kelsey, in Canton. He returned to Norfolk, VA following his brother's wedding and was assigned to the U.S.S. Lexington.
Search for Body of Stoughton Flyer
Norfolk, VA, Aug 14 (A.P.) -- Search continues today for the body of Ensign James H. Kelsey Jr. of Stoughton, MA, killed yesterday afternoon when the navy scout fighter plane (Grumman type SF-1) he was flying during maneuvers with the aircraft carrier, Lexington, plunged into the sea 50 miles off Cape Henry.
In the meantime a navy board of investigation is sitting aboard the carrier in an attempt to learn why Ensign Kelsey's plane suddenly went out of control at a height of about 300 feet. A moment after the plane hit the surface, destroyers operating with the Lexington dashed to the rescue. They passed over the scene of the crash a few moments later, but all traces of the plane and its pilot had disappeared.
The Lexington and her sister ship, the Saratoga, resumed battle maneuvers today with their planes. The search for Ensign Kelsey's body is being conducted by two tugs, dispatched to the scene yesterday afternoon from the Norfolk Naval Base, and a mine-sweeper that had been operating with the fleet in maneuvers off the Cape. This is the first fatal crash that has occurred since the aircraft forces of the fleet moved into their base on Hampton Roads about six weeks ago. Ensign Kelsey is survived by his wife, Mrs. Marjorie Kelsey, residing in Stoughton.
The Boston Globe (Boston, MA) - 18 Aug 1934
No Trace of Body of Stoughton Flyer
Navy Has Been Searching Off Cape Henry 4 Days
The Navy Department, after four days search for the body of Ensign James H. Kelsey Jr, United States Navy, and the plane in which he was strapped to the seat, abandoned the search off Cape Henry last night, giving up all hopes of finding the body. Three government ships have been dragging the ocean for many miles around during the four-day period, and Lieut J. Donald Kelsey, brother of Ensign Kelsey, also of the United States Navy, has been with the crew in the search for his brother. Lieut Kelsey and B. Winslow Drake, father of Mrs James H. Kelsey Jr, wife of the ensign, left for home last night and are expected to arrive in Stoughton late this afternoon. Mrs Drake Stayed over until today, when she, in company with her daughter Marjorie, who married Ensign Kelsey in Los Angeles, less than three years ago, left today for their home in Stoughton, and are expected to arrive here Sunday.
----------------------------------------
Ironically, Ltjg Lance Edward "Lem" Massey who would later marry James' widow was also assigned to a squadron on board Lexington when James crashed. Lance and Marjorie were married in the fall of 1935 in Stoughton, MA. They were the parents of Lance Bradford and Walter Drake Massey. Lcdr Lance Massey was killed in action during the battle of Midway, 04 Jun 1942, when his torpedo plane was shot down. Mrs Massey died on 18 Nov 1983 in Coronado, CA. She was buried in Brookside Cemetery, Watertown, NY.
[Articles edited for content and bio compiled by G47]
Military Hall of Honor Honoree ID: 318774
The Boston Globe (Boston, MA) - 14 Aug 1934
Stoughton Naval Flyer Drowned
Stoughton, Aug 14 -- Ensign James H. Kelsey Jr, formerly of Stoughton, died yesterday off the Virginia Capes when his fighter plane from the aircraft carrier Lexington crashed into the sea during maneuvers. Ensign Kelsey was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James H. Kelsey of Stoughton, where he had lived until he attended the US Naval Academy in Annapolis in the summer of 1927. Born on 27 May 1910 in Stoughton, he was educated in the public schools, graduating with honors as president of his class in June, 1927 from Stoughton High School. He was the recipient of the Edwin A. Jones $100 prize for outstanding excellence in his studies.
A week after his graduation Kelsey sat for the entrance examination to enter Annapolis. He was admitted for the four-year course on 11 July. He graduated 87th in a class of 441 midshipman. Upon his graduation 04 Jun 1931, Ensign Kelsey reported on board the new heavy cruiser, U.S.S. Northampton (CA-26) for his mandatory sea-duty tour on 08 Aug 1931. Later, he was stationed on the Pacific coast. It was while out in the West that he married his childhood sweetheart, Miss Marjorie Jeannette Drake, daughter of Mrs and Mrs Winslow Bradford Drake of Stoughton, in Los Angeles in June 1932.
Subsequently, Kelsey detached from the Northampton in April 1933, and he began flight training at the Naval Aviation School in Pensacola, FL on 29 May 1933. He was awarded his naval aviator gold wings on 22 Mar 1934 becoming naval aviator #4013. He was recently in Massachusetts to attend the wedding of his older brother, Ensign J. Donald Kelsey, in Canton. He returned to Norfolk, VA following his brother's wedding and was assigned to the U.S.S. Lexington.
Search for Body of Stoughton Flyer
Norfolk, VA, Aug 14 (A.P.) -- Search continues today for the body of Ensign James H. Kelsey Jr. of Stoughton, MA, killed yesterday afternoon when the navy scout fighter plane (Grumman type SF-1) he was flying during maneuvers with the aircraft carrier, Lexington, plunged into the sea 50 miles off Cape Henry.
In the meantime a navy board of investigation is sitting aboard the carrier in an attempt to learn why Ensign Kelsey's plane suddenly went out of control at a height of about 300 feet. A moment after the plane hit the surface, destroyers operating with the Lexington dashed to the rescue. They passed over the scene of the crash a few moments later, but all traces of the plane and its pilot had disappeared.
The Lexington and her sister ship, the Saratoga, resumed battle maneuvers today with their planes. The search for Ensign Kelsey's body is being conducted by two tugs, dispatched to the scene yesterday afternoon from the Norfolk Naval Base, and a mine-sweeper that had been operating with the fleet in maneuvers off the Cape. This is the first fatal crash that has occurred since the aircraft forces of the fleet moved into their base on Hampton Roads about six weeks ago. Ensign Kelsey is survived by his wife, Mrs. Marjorie Kelsey, residing in Stoughton.
The Boston Globe (Boston, MA) - 18 Aug 1934
No Trace of Body of Stoughton Flyer
Navy Has Been Searching Off Cape Henry 4 Days
The Navy Department, after four days search for the body of Ensign James H. Kelsey Jr, United States Navy, and the plane in which he was strapped to the seat, abandoned the search off Cape Henry last night, giving up all hopes of finding the body. Three government ships have been dragging the ocean for many miles around during the four-day period, and Lieut J. Donald Kelsey, brother of Ensign Kelsey, also of the United States Navy, has been with the crew in the search for his brother. Lieut Kelsey and B. Winslow Drake, father of Mrs James H. Kelsey Jr, wife of the ensign, left for home last night and are expected to arrive in Stoughton late this afternoon. Mrs Drake Stayed over until today, when she, in company with her daughter Marjorie, who married Ensign Kelsey in Los Angeles, less than three years ago, left today for their home in Stoughton, and are expected to arrive here Sunday.
----------------------------------------
Ironically, Ltjg Lance Edward "Lem" Massey who would later marry James' widow was also assigned to a squadron on board Lexington when James crashed. Lance and Marjorie were married in the fall of 1935 in Stoughton, MA. They were the parents of Lance Bradford and Walter Drake Massey. Lcdr Lance Massey was killed in action during the battle of Midway, 04 Jun 1942, when his torpedo plane was shot down. Mrs Massey died on 18 Nov 1983 in Coronado, CA. She was buried in Brookside Cemetery, Watertown, NY.
[Articles edited for content and bio compiled by G47]
Military Hall of Honor Honoree ID: 318774
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