Reinhardt J . Keppler Reinhardt John Keppler ( January 22 , 1918 – November 15 , 1942 ) was an American navy serviceman who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II . Early life and military service . Keppler was born in Ralston , Washington . His father was minister who transferred to the Northwest from the small town of Hosmer , South Dakota . He was raised in that state and , after graduation from Wapato High School , enlisted in the United States Navy on February 19 , 1936 , aged 18 . After an honorable discharge , he reenlisted April 25 , 1940 and was assigned to the heavy cruiser . Keppler was promoted to First Class Petty Officer at the beginning of October 1941 . During the war Boatswain ' s Mate First Class Keppler participated in action at Pearl Harbor , the early wartime raids on Bougainville and New Guinea , and the Solomon Islands campaign . When a Japan ese bomber crashed into his ship on November 12 , 1942 , at the beginning of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal , he assisted in caring for the resulting casualties . That night and into the early morning of Nov . 13 , as the " San Francisco " participated in a chaotic battle with enemy warships , he labored valiantly , despite mortal wounds , to save his ship and wounded shipmates . ( His tombstone incorrectly lists Nov . 15 as his death . ) It was for his " extraordinary heroism and distinguished courage " on these occasions that Keppler was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor . Keppler is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno , California . He was survived by his widow , younger brother Ben ( who grew up back in Hosmer ) [ other relatives not known . ] Namesake . In 1946 , the destroyer , in commission from 1947 to 1972 , was named in his honor . Previously , the destroyer escort s and had been named for him , but both were cancelled before construction began . Medal of Honor citation . Medal of Honor citation : For extraordinary heroism and distinguished courage above and beyond the call of duty while serving aboard the U . S . S . San Francisco during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands , 12 – November 13 , 1942 . When a hostile torpedo plane , during a daylight air raid , crashed on the after machine - gun platform , KEPPLER promptly assisted in the removal of the dead and , by his capable supervision of the wounded , undoubtedly helped save the lives of several shipmates who otherwise might have perished . That night , when the hangar was set afire during the great battle off Savo Island , he bravely led a hose into the starboard side of the stricken area and there , without assistance and despite frequent hits from terrific enemy bombardment , eventually brought the fire under control . Later , although mortally wounded , he labored valiantly in the midst of bursting shells , persistently directing fire - fighting operations and administrating to wounded personnel until he finally collapsed from loss of blood , aged 24 . His great personal valor , maintained with utter disregard of personal safety , was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service . He gallantly gave his life for his country .