DENVER -- In Army circles, the name Maj. Gen. Keith L. Ware is iconic.
The name represents Medal of Honor heroism during World War II. It represents a general officer killed in action in 1968 while commanding an infantry division in Vietnam. It represents a legacy of keeping the troops informed.
In a ceremony this month at his high school alma mater in Denver, his legacy extended beyond heroism on the battlefield and achieving the highest standards of journalism. Denver's South High School dedicated a plaque honoring another aspect of a young man who became that hero.
Remarks during the ceremony highlighted the civic side of Ware, who graduated from the school in 1933.
"It is our hope when South students view this plaque, that they ask questions, that they explore Keith Ware's story," said retired Lt. Col. Paul Patrick, senior instructor for the school's Junior ROTC program. "It is a story about a young man who lost his father at a young age and then lived in a single-parent household."
Patrick also pointed out that Ware "worked hard in whatever menial jobs he could find to help support his Family" while still doing well with his high school studies. According to Patrick, Ware was unable to go to college immediately after school because he had to work to support his Family.
"If you look at his story," Patrick said in his remarks, "you will realize that these are situations not uncommon for students at South today. These circumstances can be overwhelming to young people and put a stranglehold on their dreams and chances for success."
Journey of life
"The plaque of Keith L. Ware, mounted in senior hallway, should serve to honor Maj. Gen. Ware as a hero, but also to remind students today of the lessons they can learn from his journey in life."
Patrick said those lessons include showing humility, calmness under pressure and selflessness; keeping the responsibilities to others and duties to self; guiding actions "for the greater good" in society; and being a good example to others.
"In situations that are difficult, there are always even small doorways for opportunity, though they may not be obvious at the time," Patrick said of other lessons learned from Ware's life. "Finally, although sometimes it seems unfashionable, it is OK to believe in this country."
Ware entered the Army in 1941 and graduated a year later from Officer Candidate School to become an infantry officer. He served in World War II earning his Medal of Honor as a battalion commander in the 3rd Infantry Division in France for his actions Dec. 26, 1944. He was awarded the Medal of Honor June 18, 1945.
Ware was also the battalion commander of the well-known Audie Murphy when Murphy earned his own Medal of Honor for actions in January 1945. Murphy was the most-decorated American Soldier in World War II.
Prior to his assignment in Vietnam, Ware worked in the Office of the Chief of Information from 1964-1967, where he served as deputy chief then chief of information. This office at Department of the Army eventually transitioned into the Chief of Public Affairs Office, which manages the Army's journalism program today.
Acts of heroism
Ware became the commanding general of the 1st Inf. Div. in Vietnam about six months before his death. He was killed in action while on a command and control helicopter flight near the Cambodia border Sept. 13, 1968.
The idea to honor Ware began in September 2003 when Ted Engelmann stopped by the school to discuss his own Vietnam experiences with Patrick. Engelmann, a former Air Force sergeant who served with Ware, was unaware at the time that Ware had attended the school.
"When I learned that Keith had graduated from South High, that's when my efforts began to create public recognition for Keith here," Engelmann said. "It was just the year before that I had finally made my peace with Keith's death. This is a very good thing they did here today. I appreciate the school publicly recognizing Keith L. Ware for his sacrifice."
For Engelmann, remembering Ware and what happened to him in Vietnam is personal. Engelmann served at Ware's base camp and had a hand in the military operations in which the general was killed.
Engelmann was a 21-year-old Air Force sergeant with a forward air control team assigned to Ware's division.
"On the morning of Friday the 13th September '68, we were informed by General Ware's staff that we needed to call up tactical air support," Engelmann said. "It was in case our Soldiers (came) into contact with what we thought was a regiment of North Vietnamese Army.
"Apparently, the intelligence folks made a mistake and our guys were walking into an ambush. Keith went out in a command and control chopper -- he took off to divert our troops (from the danger).
"If I remember right, it was about 7:30 or 8 in the morning. The Direct Air Support Center was sending aircraft in preparation for troops in contact. Shortly afterward, I could hear the radios on the other end of the Tactical Operations Center say something about 'Danger Six' was down."
In awe of service
Engelmann said they knew the radio call sign referred to Ware's aircraft. However, it took a little while for them to realize that the aircraft was shot down -- that Ware and all aboard were dead.
"Since that all happened on a Friday the 13th, every following Friday the 13th was very difficult for me," Engelmann said. "Whether it was in March or April or September or whatever month, I hid. Intellectually, I knew it wasn't my fault. But emotionally, I felt responsible for his death. I knew him and couldn't protect him."
Engelmann said he came to peace with all this when he returned to Vietnam on the anniversary of the event in 2002 -- a year that Sept. 13 fell once again on a Friday.
"I am in awe of his service in the military and in his acts of bravery and selflessness," Patrick said to close his remarks during the ceremony.
"Also in an interesting way, I am in awe of the comments of the Soldiers who were in his commands. Their respect for him speaks volumes about who he was. It is my hope that the legacy of who he was and his journey through life continue to inspire those of current and future generations, particularly the students who walk the hallways of this school."
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