medal of honor stars graphic
MEDAL OF HONOR:
Master Sergeant Woodrow W. Keeble
Master Sergeant Woodrow W. Keeble

MEDAL OF HONOR

Korean War

"THE MEDAL OF HONOR EPITOMIZES THE VERY BEST OF WHAT AMERICA STANDS FOR AND HONORS THE GALLANT INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE RECEIVED IT. THESE SPECIAL PEOPLE REPRESENT THE HEART AND SOUL OF AMERICA. ... THESE GALLANT SOULS, IN THEIR HEROISM AND THEIR HUMILITY, EPITOMIZE THE NOBILITY OF SERVICE TO COUNTRY AND OF SERVICE ABOVE SELF ... AMERICANS FOR ALL TIMES WILL TREASURE THE GIFTS THAT THESE BRAVE WARRIORS HAVE GIVEN TO ALL OF US SO SELFLESSLY."

Former President George H. W. Bush
Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty, Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, 2003

Master Sergeant Woodrow W. Keeble

Master Sergeant Woodrow W. Keeble

born

May 16, 1917

hometown

Waubay, South Dakota

Unit

North Dakota National Guard's 164th Infantry Regiment and G Co., 2nd Bn., 19th Inf. Reg, 24th ID

Deployments

World War II, Korean War

An athletic man in his youth, Master Sgt. Woodrow Keeble was being recruited by the Chicago White Sox when he was called to duty in WWII. Upon returning to North Dakota after the war, Keeble taught at the Wahpeton Indian School, which he himself had attended after his mother passed away when he was a child. Keeble was again called to service during the Korean War, where he notably volunteered as an individual augmentee from the 164th Infantry Regiment to deploy to Korea.

When Keeble returned from the Korean War, he resumed teaching at the Wahpeton Indian School. Unfortunately, soon after his return he was diagnosed with tuberculosis, which required the removal of one of his lungs. The surgery triggered a series of strokes leaving Keeble speechless and partially paralyzed. Several months later his wife of 14 years, Nettie, passed away, leaving him to care for their young son Earl. In 1967, Keeble married Blossom Iris Crawford-Hawkins, the first Sioux woman to complete a Ph.D. program, including doctoral dissertation at the University of South Dakota.

Army Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, left, and painter Vern Skaug preview Skaug's portrait of Master Sgt. Woodrow W. Keeble in Bismarck, N.D., July 17, 2008. Department of Defense photo by Bill Prokopyk.

Army Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, left, and painter Vern Skaug preview Skaug’s portrait of Master Sgt. Woodrow W. Keeble in Bismarck, N.D., July 17, 2008. Department of Defense photo by Bill Prokopyk.

Portrait of Master Sgt. Woodrow Keeble. Keeble is one of the most decorated Soldiers in North Dakota history. He is the first Sioux to earn the nation's highest military honor. Keeble enlisted in the North Dakota National Guard in 1942.

In 1982, Master Sergeant Keeble passed away. His valor on the battlefield was legendary. Friends, family and four U.S. senators in North and South Dakota continued their pursuit to award Keeble the Medal of Honor even after his death. While in the Army, Keeble received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Master Sergeant Woodrow W. Keeble On The Battlefield

His strength, size and prowess as a warrior led fellow Soldier James Fenelon, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe who fought with Master Sgt. Keeble at Guadalcanal, to say, "The safest place to be was right next to Woody."

Master Sgt. Keeble's bravery in combat and ability to lead Soldiers is beyond question. Of his call to duty, Keeble said, "There were terrible moments that encompassed a lifetime, an endlessness, when terror was so strong in me, that I could feel idiocy replace reason. (Yet,) I have never left my position, nor have I shirked hazardous duty. Fear did not make a coward out of me." Keeble volunteered for duty when members of the 164th Infantry Regiment were called to fight in the Korean War. When asked why, he replied, "Somebody has to teach these kids how to fight."

Kurt Bluedog and Russell Hawkins respond to questions from the media outside the White House on March 3, 2008, following a Medal of Honor presentation ceremony. The men accepted the medal from the president on behalf of Master Sgt. Woodrow Wilson Keeble. U.S. Army photo.

A gun crew from Company A, 90th Field Artillery Battalion, 24th U.S. Infantry Division, fires a 155-mm howitzer at Communist positions in the Kojongchon sector, eight miles above the 38th Parallel, June 3, 1951. Korea. Photo courtesy the U.S. Army Center of Military History.

A gun crew from Company A, 90th Field Artillery Battalion, 24th U.S. Infantry Division, fires a 155-mm howitzer at Communist positions in the Kojongchon sector, eight miles above the 38th Parallel, June 3, 1951. Korea. Photo courtesy the U.S. Army Center of Military History.

Medal of Honor Citation

October 20, 1951 | Hill 765, Near Sangsan-ni, Korea

The Taro leaf is from the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 24th Infantry Division. The scarlet annulet is taken from the badge formerly approved for the Hawaiian Division Headquarters and Special Troops.

The Taro leaf is from the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 24th Infantry Division. The scarlet annulet is taken from the badge formerly approved for the Hawaiian Division Headquarters and Special Troops.

24th Infantry Division

Read Unit History

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 2008, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to: Master Sergeant Woodrow W. Keeble, United States Army.

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.

“There were terrible moments that encompassed a lifetime, an endlessness, when terror was so strong in me, that I could feel idiocy replace reason. (Yet,) I have never left my position, nor have I shirked hazardous duty. Fear did not make a coward out of me. ”

Master Sgt. Woodrow W. Keeble

Korean War Maps

Korean War-era map depicting East Central Asia. Courtesy the U.S. Army Center of Military History.

East Central Asia, 1950

Korean War map, Ebb and Flow, November 1950 - July 1951. Courtesy the U.S. Army Center of Military History.

"Ebb and Flow", November 1950 - July 1951

Korean War map, The Battlefront, November 1950. Courtesy the U.S. Army Center of Military History.

The Battlefront, November 1950

Gen. Richard A. Cody, Army vice chief of staff, talks about the life and service of Master Sgt. Woodrow Wilson Keeble during the Hall of Heroes induction ceremony at the Pentagon Tuesday. Keeble earned the Medal of Honor posthumously for his acts of bravery during the Korean War. U.S. Army photo.

Show Caption +

Gen. Richard A. Cody, Army vice chief of staff, talks about Master Sgt. Woodrow Wilson Keeble's life and service during the Hall of Heroes induction ceremony at the Pentagon Tuesday. Keeble earned the Medal of Honor posthumously for his acts of bravery during the Korean War. U.S. Army photo.

Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England presents the Medal of Honor flag to Russell Hawkins, stepson of Master Sgt. Woodrow Wilson Keeble. The color and stars are adapted from the Medal of Honor ribbon. U.S. Army photo.

Show Caption +

Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England presents the Medal of Honor flag to Russell Hawkins, stepson of Master Sgt. Woodrow Wilson Keeble. The color and stars are adapted from the Medal of Honor ribbon. U.S. Army photo.

The plaque of names enshrined at the Pentagon Hall of Heroes is unveiled during a ceremony honoring Medal of Honor recipient Master Sgt. Woodrow W. Keeble. U.S. Army photo.

Show Caption +

The plaque of names enshrined at the Pentagon Hall of Heroes is unveiled during a ceremony honoring Medal of Honor recipient Master Sgt. Woodrow W. Keeble.

The name of Master Sgt. Woodrow W. Keeble is now included on the distinguished list of names enshrined at the Pentagon Hall of Heroes. Keeble earned the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Korean War in October 1951. U.S. Army photo.

Show Caption +

The name of Master Sgt. Woodrow W. Keeble is now included on the distinguished list of names enshrined at the Pentagon Hall of Heroes. Keeble earned the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Korean War in October 1951. U.S. Army photo.

“Woody Keeble's act of heroism saved many American lives, and earned him a permanent place in his fellow soldiers' hearts. Years later, some of those tough soldiers' eyes would fill with tears when they saw Woody again. One said: "He was the most respected person I ever knew in my life." Another said: "I would have followed him anywhere." A third said: "He was awesome." Those brave boys battled tyranny, held the line against a communist menace, and kept a nation free. ”

President George W. Bush

White House Ceremony, March 3, 2003


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