Leonard B. Keller
Leonard Bert Keller | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | "Len" |
Born | Rockford, Illinois | February 25, 1947
Died | October 18, 2009 Pensacola, Florida | (aged 62)
Place of burial | |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | United States Army |
Years of service | 1966–1968 |
Rank | Sergeant |
Unit | 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Awards | Medal of Honor |
Leonard Bert Keller (February 25, 1947 – October 18, 2009) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.
Biography
A native of
By May 2, 1967, Keller was serving as a
After being discharged from the military in August 1968, Keller married a United States Navy veteran and eventually moved to Milton, Florida. For more than 20 years, he was supervisor of the supply department at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, a primary flight training base northeast of Naval Air Station Pensacola.[1][3]
Death
Keller died on October 18, 2009, at the age of 62 after a motorcycle accident in Milton.[4] He was leaving a Fleet Reserve Association veterans' club when he lost control of his three-wheeled Harley-Davidson.[4][5] The vehicle rolled several times and landed on top of him.[5] He was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, where he died.[4] On November 30, 2009, Keller was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[3]
Medal of Honor citation
Sergeant Keller's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sweeping through an area where an enemy ambush had occurred earlier, Sgt. Keller's unit suddenly came under intense automatic weapons and small-arms fire from a number of enemy bunkers and numerous
hand grenade killing its occupant. Then he and the other soldier charged a second bunker, killing its occupant. A third bunker contained an automatic rifleman who had pinned down much of the friendly platoon. Again, with utter disregard for the fire directed to them, the 2 men charged, killing the enemy within. Continuing their attack, Sgt. Keller and his comrade assaulted 4 more bunkers, killing the enemy within. During their furious assault, Sgt. Keller and his comrade had been almost continuously exposed to intense sniper fire as the enemy desperately sought to stop their attack. The ferocity of their assault had carried the soldiers beyond the line of bunkers into the treeline, forcing snipers to flee. The 2 men gave immediate chase, driving the enemy away from the friendly unit. When his ammunition was exhausted, Sgt. Keller returned to the platoon to assist in the evacuation of the wounded. The 2-man assault had driven an enemy platoon from a well-prepared position, accounted for numerous enemy dead, and prevented further friendly casualties. Sgt. Keller's selfless heroism and indomitable fighting spirit saved the lives of many of his comrades and inflicted serious damage on the enemy. His acts were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.[2][6]
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 978-1-57965-314-9.
- ^ a b "Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients (A-L)". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. February 27, 2007. Archived from the original on 2009-06-27. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
- ^ a b Goodman, Christy (November 30, 2009). "Vietnam vet awarded Medal of Honor buried at Arlington". The Washington Post. washingtonpost.com. Retrieved November 30, 2009.
- ^ a b c Cooper, Louis (October 19, 2009). "Milton Medal of Honor winner killed in bike crash". Pensacola News Journal. Pensacola, Florida. Archived from the original on October 22, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2009.
- ^ a b "Man in critical condition after trike accident". Northwest Florida Daily News. October 18, 2009. Archived from the original on October 20, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2009.
- ^ "Leonard Bert Keller | Vietnam War | U.S. Army | Medal of Honor Recipient". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved 2023-08-09.