Allan Jay Kellogg, Jr., was born 1 October 1943, in Bethel, Connecticut, and graduated from elementary school there in 1958. He attended high school for two years, prior to enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps on 14 November 1960, in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
He received recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina and individual combat training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Following graduation, he was assigned duty as a rifleman, assistant automatic rifleman, and fire team leader, consecutively, with Company K, 3d Battalion, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune. He was promoted to private first class in June 1961, to lance corporal in April 1962, and to corporal in October 1962.
From December 1962 until November 1964, Cpl Kellogg served as squad leader with Company D, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Brigade. Upon his return to the United States, he was assigned duty as Sergeant of the Guard, Marine Air Base Squadron 31, Marine Aircraft Group 31, Beaufort, South Carolina.
He was promoted to sergeant on 1 May 1965 and in March 1966 was ordered to the Republic of Vietnam where he served as Weapons Platoon Sergeant and later, Company Supply Non-commissioned Officer of Company F, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division. He was promoted to staff sergeant 1 July 1967.
In December 1967 SSgt Kellogg was assigned to the 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, serving as a squad leader with M-16 Special Task Group Command, 3d Battalion, 8th Marines and subsequently as a platoon sergeant, and later, platoon commander of Company I, 3d Battalion, 6th Marines.
Returning for his second tour of duty in the Republic of Vietnam in December 1969, SSgt Kellogg served briefly as a platoon sergeant with Company A, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines. During March 1970 he was reassigned duty as a platoon sergeant of Company G, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Wounded in action in Quang Nam Province on 8 May 1970, he was evacuated to the U.S. Naval Hospital, Yokosuka, Japan. It was during this deployment he received the Medal of Honor.
He was released from the hospital in October 1970 and returned to duty that December, when he assumed his assignment as Instructor, Field Medical Service School, at Camp Pendleton, California. He was promoted to gunnery sergeant on 1 July 1972. He was later promoted to sergeant major, and retired from the Marine Corps in October 1990.
A complete list of his medals and decorations includes: the Medal of Honor, the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V”, the Purple Heart Medal with two gold stars, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation with one bronze star, the Good Conduct Medal with three bronze stars, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver star, the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Color) with palm and gold frame, the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Action Color (First Class) with palm and gold frame, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, the Rifle Expert Badge, and the Pistol Expert Badge.
The Marine Corps Reserve Association has sponsored the Honor Graduate Award since 2011 and proud to name the sword in the honor of this Marine.