Richard William Keyes
Colonel, U.S. Army

Richard William Keyes grew up in Herndon, VA. He attended Herndon High School and then moved to Florida. He entered the Army in 1939 after graduating from the University of Florida.

On 30 January 1945, then-Lieutenant Colonel Richard William Keyes was serving as Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, 311th Infantry Regiment, 78th Infantry Division.

On that day, LTC Keyes’ unit was in action against German forces during the second Battle of Kesternich, at Kesternich, Germany in the Siegfried Line Campaign. When communication between the attacking Infantry and Armored elements was interrupted, the tanks were unable to move forward to support the Infantry. LTC Keyes went forward 150 yards from house to house over terrain where 5 men had just been killed by rifle fire, then ran 30 yards in the open to the nearest tank, mounted it, gained the attention of the tank commander and issued orders. Then. under heavy German fire, LTC Keyes ran across 75 yards of open terrain to another tank. Forty-five minutes later, LTC Keyes found it necessary to repeat the process, under heavy small arms fire, to direct artillery fire. LTC Keyes then remained with the assaulting unit and continually exposed himself to enemy fire in order to maintain contact with rear units in the event of radio failure. LTC Keyes’ aggressive leadership, selfless courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

From 1 - 2 March 1945, in the vicinity of Nideggen, Germany, LTC Keyes' 2nd Battalion was advancing south along the 311th Infantry Regiment's left flank as flank security. LTC Keyes moved his command group forward to a hill to better observe the source of German fire, but the enemy then concentrated their mortar and artillery fire on the hilltop. LTC Keyes remained standing on the hilltop to observe the source of enemy fire, then covered 75 yards of open ground to reach his radio man and call for counter-battery fire. At this time, Company G was suffering heavy casualties, so LTC Keyes moved under the heavy incoming fire and personally lead them to safety, in a draw. He then reorganized the 2nd Battalion to continue the attack, and attained the objective despite fanatical German resistance. LTC Keyes' total disregard for his personal safety while under persistent enemy fire, and his courage in personally leading the attack that day, earned him the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

In Korea, during the first 2 years of the conflict, LTC Keyes served with the 3rd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. During that time, LTC Keyes was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry in combat.

During the period July 1960 to January 1967, now-Colonel Keyes served consecutively as:

● Director, Command and Staff Department, as Deputy Assistant Commandant, United States Army Infantry School, and then as Commanding Officer, 197th Infantry Brigade, Fort Benning, GA;
● Deputy Director for Planning, Strategic Plans and Policy Office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Operations, Washington, DC;
● Chief, Inspection Division, Office of the Inspector General, Department of the Army, Washington, DC.

COL Keyes' superior performance in those assignments earned him the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Army's highest award for distinguished service. During that time, he also attended graduate school at George Washington University.

In Retirement

Following his retirement from the Army, Keyes moved to the Houston, TX, area, where he was a defense and disaster and relief official with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Legion of Merit with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Bronze Star Medal (Merit) with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Purple Heart
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge with Star

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Richard W. Keyes (ASN: 0-31467/0-342797), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer 2d Battalion, 311th Infantry Regiment, 78th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 30 January 1945, at Kesternich, Germany. Communication between the attacking Infantry and armored elements was interrupted, leaving the tanks unable to move forward to support the Infantry. Lieutenant Colonel Keyes went forward 150 yards from house to house over terrain where five men had just been killed by rifle fire, then dashed thirty yards in the open to the nearest tank, mounted it, gained the attention of the tank commander and issued orders. He then dashed across seventy-five yards of open terrain under heavy enemy fire to another tank. Forty-five minutes later it was necessary to repeat the process, under a hail of small arms fire and direct artillery fire. He then stayed with the assaulting unit and continually exposed himself to enemy fire to maintain contact with rear units in the failure of radio communication. Lieutenant Colonel Keyes' aggressive leadership and utter disregard for personal safety were a great inspiration to his men and reflect the highest battlefield traditions of the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Forces-European Theater, General Orders No. 110 (April 16, 1946)

Death and Burial

Colonel Richard William Keyes died of pneumonia on 28 July 1979 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Houston, TX. He is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA, in Section 66, Site 3374.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25013734/richard-w.-keyes