This Military Service Page was created/owned by
MAJ Mark E Cooper
to remember
Keeble, Woodrow Wilson (MOH), M/Sgt.
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Contact Info
Home Town Waubay, South Dakota
Last Address Sisseton, South Dakota Buried at Sisseton Cemetery, Sisseton, South Dakota
Master Sergeant Woodrow Wilson Keeble was the first Full Blooded Sioux to be Awarded the Nations Highest award, the Congresssional Medal of Honor Posthumously more than fifty Years after his heroic acts. And 26 years after his death. www.cmohs.org for the full story. Rod.
MSG. Woodrow W. Keeble, U.S.A. Citation: Medal of Honor War: Korean War
Master Sergeant WOODROW W. KEEBLE received the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism in Korea while a member of G Company, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Sergeant Keeble, at that time, was acting as a platoon leader of his company which was committed against the enemy in the vicinity of Sangsari-ni Korea. On 20 October 1951, the company was moving forward in an attack against a fanatically determined enemy force occupying positions on a steep, rocky terrain feature of great tactical importance. Leading the support platoon, Sgt. Keeble suddenly saw that the attacking elements had become pinned down on the precipitous slope by a murderous volume of machine-gun fire from three well fortified and carefully placed enemy positions. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he dashed forward and joined the pinned down platoon. Then, hugging the ground, he crawled forward alone until he was in close proximity to one of the hostile machine-gun emplacements. Ignoring the vicious stream of fire which the enemy crew trained on him, he activated a grenade and, throwing it with great accuracy, successfully destroyed 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 hostile troops were now directing their entire 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. Stunned by an enemy concussion grenade, he hesitated only long enough to regain his senses, then renewed his assault and skillfully neutralized the remaining enemy position with exceptionally accurate rifle fire. As his comrades moved forward to join him, he continued to direct deadly accurate fire against nearby enemy trenches, inflicting extremely heavy casualties on the foe. Inspired by his courageous example, the friendly troops swept the enemy from the hill and secured the important objective. the extraordinary heroism and completely selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sgt. Keeble on this occasion enabled his company to accomplish its mission, reflect great credit on himself, and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service.
Master Sergeant Keeble, a Sioux Native American joined the Legion of Valor in 1969 and resided in South Dakota.
