Randall Denison Keator
Colonel, U.S. Air Force

Randall Denison Keator was born on 21 August 1917 in Campti, LA, the son of Charles Denison and Rena McKnight Keator. After attending the local parish school, and later graduating from Campti High School, Randall earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern State College in Natchitoches, LA, in 1939.

He enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Army Air Corps at Barksdale Field, LA, in 1940. After completing pilot training in Oklahoma and Texas, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps with the rating of Pilot. 2LT Keator was then assigned to the 24th Pursuit Group at Clark Field in the Philippines. It was on 8 December 1941, the day following the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, that 2LT Keator first entered combat.

On 8 December 1941, Second Lieutenant Randall Denison Keator was serving as Pilot of a P-40 Warhawk Fighter Plane in the 20th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, Far East Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces.

On that day, 2LT Keator’s unit was in aerial action against Japanese forces at Clark Field, Philippine Islands. During the Japanese attack on Clark Airfield, 2LT Keator ignored the falling bombs and strafing runs to get his P-40 Warhawk fighter airborne. 2LT Keator attacked 3 Japanese fighters, shooting down 2 of them and the 3rd was a probable kill, becoming the first American fighter pilot to claim a victory in the air war in the Philippine Islands. 2LT Keator’s flying skills, courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Life Magazine chronicled the aforementioned achievement in its first issue after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and the Louisiana Legislature passed a resolution citing its native son for conspicuous gallantry in action. The next year brought 2LT Keator even more excitement that included a forced landing in the Pacific Ocean, a rescue by island natives, and a last minute escape from Bataan in the face of advancing Japanese forces.

After World War II, Keator enjoyed a career as an engineer in Air Force laboratories where he pioneered numerous systems aboard today's military aircraft. That career spanned 28-years and took place on 4 continents. He and his wife, Litha, also raised 3 children during that time.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
World War II Victory Medal
Command Pilot Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Randall D. Keator (0-412276), Second Lieutenant (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 20th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 8 December 1941, at Clark Field, Philippine Islands. During the Japanese attack on Clark Airfield, Philippine Islands on this date, Second Lieutenant Keator braved falling bombs and strafing runs to become airborne in his P-40 fighter. He attacked three enemy fighters, shooting down two of them, and becoming the first American fighter pilot to claim a victory in the air war in the Philippine Islands. Second Lieutenant Keator's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Headquarters: U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 48 (1941)

Death and Burial

Colonel Randall Denison Keator died on 4 February 1981 after a lengthy illness. He is buried at Forest Park East Cemetery in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, LA.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62096213/randall-denison-keator