KEEBLE, WOODROW WILSON
Rank/Organization:
Master Sergeant, NDNG 164th Infantry Regiment and G Company, 2nd
Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment
Entered Service:
Wahpeton, ND
Born:
May 16, 1917 Waubay, SD (Keeble was a member of the
Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Sioux tribe.)
Award date: March 3, 2008
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.
Compiler: Merry Helm, Association Historian
Links:
Woodrow W. Keeble - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Woody Keeble Medal of Honor http://www.army.mil/media/amp/?bcpid=6981683001&bctid=29100662001 (Select Eagle Feather)