caption serviceyears branch commands birth_place allegiance awards battles birth_date rank image article_title name
kelly in november 2012 1970-1972 1976 - present united states marine corps united multi-national force -- west states southern command 1st light armored reconnaissance battalion boston , massachusetts , u.s. united states of america defense of merit -lrb- 2 -rrb- with valor v distinguished service medal defense superior service medal legion persian gulf war operation desert storm iraq war 11 may 1950 24px general kelly 2012.jpg john f. kelly -lrb- marine -rrb-
 john f. kelly
john f. kelly -lrb- marine -rrb-

john francis kelly -lrb- born may 11 , 1950 -rrb- is an united states marine corps general and the current commander of united states southern command .
kelly previously served as the commanding general of the multi-national force -- west in iraq from february 2008 to february 2009 , and as the commander of marine forces reserve and marine forces north in october 2009 .
kelly succeeded general douglas m. fraser as commander of u.s. southern command -lrb- ussouthcom -rrb- on november 19 , 2012 .
