Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

2nd Battalion, 311th Infantry Regiment, 78th Infantry Division "Lightning", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1945

By direction of the President, under provisions of AR 600-45, dated 22 September 1943, as amended, the Silver Star Medal is awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Richard W. Keyes (0-342797), Infantry, Headquarters, Second Battalion, 311th Infantry Regiment, for gallantry in action on 31 January 1945 in the vicinity of Kesternich, Germany.

In the initial phases of the attack within Kesternich, Germany, the effects of the artillery preparation were being lost by the failure of supporting armor to move forward and aid the assaulting elements. Al radio and telephone communication with the tanks failed and, with no orders, they remained in their original positions. Lieutenant Keyes, exposing himself to the hail of automatic weapons and small arms fire, ran to the tank commander's tank and, after climbing on the tank, covered the observation slot with his hands so as to force the tank commander to open his hatch. When the tank commander opened the hatch, Lieutenant Colonel Keyes issued the necessary orders and then went to the remaining four tanks with orders for them. His heroic leadership, exhibited under the intense fire, provided the necessary coordination and is in accordance with the highest military traditions.

Entered the military service from Texas.

Headquarters 78th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 100 (1945).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

2nd Battalion, 311th Infantry Regiment, 78th Infantry Division "Lightning", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1946

By direction of the President, under the provisions of AR 600-45, 22 September 1943, as amended, the Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Richard W. Keyes (0342797), Infantry, Army of the United States, for extraordinary heroism in action, as Commanding |Officer, Second Battalion, 311th Infantry Regiment, 78th Infantry Division, from 30 January 1945, at Kesternich, Germany.

Communication between the attacking Infantry and armored elements was interrupted, leaving the tanks unable to move forward to support the Infantry. Lieutenant Colonel Keyes went forward 150 yards from house to house over terrain where five men had just been killed by rifle fire, then dashed thirty yards in the open to the nearest tank, mounted it, gained the attention of the tank commander and issued orders. He then dashed across seventy-five yards of open terrain under heavy enemy fire to another tank. Forty-five minutes later it was necessary to repeat the process, under a hail of small arms fire and direct artillery fire. He then stayed with the assulting unit and continually exposed himself to enemy fire to maintain contact with rear units in the failure of radio communication. Lieutenant Colonel Keyes' aggressive leadership and utter disregard for personal safety were a great inspiration to his men and reflect the highest battlefield traditions of the United States Army.

Entered military service from Texas.

Headquarters, U.S. Forces, European Theater, General Orders No. 110 (1946).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

2nd Battalion, 311th Infantry Regiment, 78th Infantry Division "Lightning", U.S. Army

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel (Lieutenant-colonel)

Unit:

2nd Battalion, 311th Infantry Regiment, 78th Infantry Division "Lightning", U.S. Army