Col. Kelley was the twelfth generation of his family born in Virginia and the last born at home. His paternal ancestors arrived in Virginia in 1690 and 1698, while his maternal ancestors arrived in Jamestown in 1632 to begin their migration to Georgia.

Primarily of Irish and French ancestry with a touch of Seminole, his family includes veterans of the Colonial government (Peter "The Burgess" LeGrand) and Army in the Revolutionary War and Confederates of the War for Southern Independence.

After nationwide travels which included nine elementary schools, four high schools, and two colleges, he graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in psychology. From there he entered the Navy through Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida, and earned his wings and flight designation as an Airborne Electronic Warfare Officer.

He flew electronic reconnaissance missions in the Navy EP-3E Orion for the National Security Agency with VQ-1 of the recent China collision fame and participated in the evacuation of Vietnam in April, 1975, working with Vietnamese refugees on Guam following the evacuation. Returning to the States he worked in Navy human resources in Texas and later flew the Douglas A-3 Skywarrior in its ERA-3B electronic countermeasures variant with VAQ-33 from Key West, Florida. He traveled the country and the world simulating Soviet-bloc electronic warfare tactics.

After leaving the Navy Col. Kelley worked for several major defense contractors and has since acted as a cable television project developer, independent engineering consultant, and aspiring writer.

Col. Kelley's paternal ancestors served with the 20th Battery, Virginia Heavy Artillery, and the Appomattox Rangers of the 2nd Virginia Cavalry. One Great-great granduncle died in service. His maternal Quillian ancestors served with the 65th Georgia Infantry - one gave his life at First Manassas and another was killed at Gettysburg.

Col. Kelley's lifelong interest in the War for Southern Independence and the Forgotten Confederates led him to join the 34th Texas Cavalry in 1995.

Following his recognition that the cause of the Forgotten Confederates and the truth of Southern and Confederate history required a more public and active effort, the Col. formed the 37th Texas Cavalry in April, 1997, and has since expanded the command nationwide and internationally and this web site has become the most honored "Civil War" site on the Internet.

While determined to keep the 37th independent, Col. Kelley uses the 37th's research, reputation, and roster of outstanding scholars and patriots to explain and defend Southern and Confederate history and heritage.

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