SIOUX MSGT WOODROW W. KEEBLE DIED–KOREAN WAR MEDAL OF HONOR WINNER
Born on May 16, 1917, in Waubay, South Dakota, on the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Reservation, Woodrow attended an Indian school in Wahpeton, North Dakota (ND). In 1942, he was recruited by baseball teams but joined the ND National Guard. In World War II, he fought at Guadalcanal and other islands before entering Japan in 1945. His unit was reactivated in October 1951. During the final allied offensive of the Korean War, on October 20, 1951, he was acting platoon leader in the attack on Hill 765. Keeble conducted a 1-man assault, crawling through heavy fire to throw grenades and destroy 3 enemy positions. His company then successfully seized its objective. For these actions, Keeble received the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star, 2 Purple Hearts & Combat Infantryman Badge. He worked at the Wahpeton school after the war until his death. Health costs caused him to pawn his medals. On March 3, 2008, Keeble posthumously was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Source: “Woodrow W. Keeble,” American Indians in the U.S. Army. Retrieved 3/8/2021, Woodrow W. Keeble - Native Americans in the United States Army Photo: U.S. Army National Guard, undated. Public Domain.
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