Citation: The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to Master Sergeant, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as an acting platoon leader with an infantry company in the vicinity of Daegean-ni, Korea, on October 20, 1951.
On that date Sergeant Keeble’s company was moving forward in an attack against a fanatically determined enemy force occupying positions on a steep, rocky terrain feature of great tactical importance. Leading the support platoon, Sergeant Keeble suddenly saw that the attacking elements had become pinned down on the precipitous slope by a murderous volume of fire of machine-gun positions from three well fortified and carefully placed enemy positions.
With complete disregard for his personal safety, he dashed forward and joined the pinned-down platoon. Then, hugging the ground, he crawled forward alone until he was in close proximity to one of the hostile machine-gun emplacements. Ignoring the vicious stream of fire which the enemy crew trained on him, he activated a grenade and, throwing it with great accuracy, successfully destroyed the position.
Continuing his one-man assault, he moved to the second enemy position and destroyed it with another grenade. Despite the fact that the hostile troops were now directing their entire firepower against him and unleashing a shower of grenades in a fanatic attempt to stop his advance, he moved forward against the third hostile emplacement. Stunned by an enemy concussion grenade, he hesitated only long enough to regain his senses, then renewed his assault and skillful neutralized the remaining enemy position with exceptionally accurate rifle fire.
As his comrades moved forward to join him, he continued to direct deadly accurate fire against nearby enemy trenches, inflicting extremely heavy casualties on the foe. Inspired by his courageous example, the friendly troops swept the enemy from the hill and secured the important objective.
The extraordinary heroism and completely selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Keeble on this occasion enabled his company to accomplish its mission.
HQ Eighth US Army Korea, General Orders No. 624 (October 16, 1952)
A true American hero!
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That is the example set for all American servicemen to strive for.
We all salute you Master Sgt Keeble.
There was a MoH recipient I had been told about back in college. It happened back in Vietnam. The guy grabbed onto a lit flare and held it to himself and ran to a window to toss it out of an aircraft to keep it from exploding inside the plane.
Pride of North and South Dakota bump.
To a man of honor who deserves a Medal of Honor, albeit posthumously.
I'm not as up to speed on awards; but can the DSC be recended and upgraded to a MOH?