Keeble, Woodrow Wilson

Date of birth:: May 16th, 1917 (Waubay-South Dakota, United States)
Date of death:: January 28th, 1982
Service number:: NG-20711396
Nationality:: American

Biography

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Medal of Honor - Army (MoH)

Period:: Korean War (1950-1953)
Rank:: Master Sergeant
Unit:: Company G, 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division "Victory Division", U.S. Army
Awarded on:: March 3rd, 2008

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: Master Sergeant Woodrow W. Keeble distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Sangsan-ni, Korea, on October 20, 1951. On that day, Master Sergeant Keeble was an acting platoon leader for the support platoon in Company G, 19th Infantry, in the attack on Hill 765, a steep and rugged position that was well defended by the enemy. Leading the support platoon, Master Sergeant Keeble saw that the attacking elements had become pinned down on the slope by heavy enemy fire from three well-fortified and strategically placed enemy positions. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Master Sergeant Keeble dashed forward and joined the pinned-down platoon. Then, hugging the ground, Master Sergeant Keeble crawled forward alone until he was in close proximity to one of the hostile machine-gun emplacements. Ignoring the heavy fire that the crew trained on him, Master Sergeant Keeble activated a grenade and threw it with great accuracy, successfully destroying 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 enemy troops were now directing their firepower against him and unleashing a shower of grenades in a frantic attempt to stop his advance, he moved forward against the third hostile emplacement, and skillfully neutralized the remaining enemy position. As his comrades moved forward to join him, Master Sergeant Keeble continued to direct accurate fire against nearby trenches, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Inspired by his courage, Company G successfully moved forward and seized its important objective. The extraordinary courage, selfless service, and devotion to duty displayed that day by Master Sergeant Keeble was an inspiration to all around him and reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Posthumously awarded

Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Period:: Korean War (1950-1953)
Rank:: Master Sergeant
Unit:: Company G, 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division "Victory Division", U.S. Army

For courageous in action near Chuk-Tong, Korea, on 18 October 1951. Master Sergeant Keeble's company had the mission of taking and securing Objective "F," one of a series of steep, wooded, enemy-held hills. As he led the assault platoon into the attack, the enemy placed the unit under murderous automatic weapons and small arms fire, thereby halting their advance, and was on the point of securing the objective when the enemy counter-attacked. The friendly troops, being low on ammunition, were forced to withdraw. When the support platoon replaced them, Master Sergeant Keeble, with complete disregard for his own safety, volunteered to lead it into the attack. Advancing well ahead of the other men, he fired an enemy automatic weapon from the hip until it ran out of ammunition, and then continued to deliver marching fire with his own rifle. The platoon, inspired by his fearlessness, quickly overran the objective and forced the enemy to flee in wild disorder, leaving 15 dead behind. Master Sergeant Keeble's courageous action, exemplary leadership and selfless devotion to duty reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Infantry.