Woodrow W . Keeble Woodrow Wilson Keeble ( May 16 , 1917 – January 28 , 1982 ) was a U . S . Army National Guard veteran of both World War II and the Korean War . He was a full - blooded member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation , a Sioux Native American tribe . Following a long campaign by his family and the congressional delegations of both North and South Dakota , on March 3 , 2008 , President George W . Bush posthumously awarded Keeble the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Korean War . Keeble had previously been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross , the Silver Star , the Bronze Star with V device for Valor , the Bronze Star for merit , and the Combat Infantryman Badge ( first and second awards ) . Although he was wounded at least twice in World War II and three times in Korea , he received two Purple Heart s . Early life . Keeble was born on May 16 , 1917 , in Waubay , South Dakota , to Isaac and Nancy ( née Shaker ) Keeble . While still very young , he moved to Wahpeton , North Dakota , where his mother worked at the Wahpeton Indian School ( now called Circle of Nations School ) . She died when Keeble was still a child . Keeble ' s father , who was too impoverished to feed his family , permanently enrolled Woodrow and his siblings in the school . Keeble excelled in sports , especially baseball , and pitched the Wahpeton amateur team to 10 straight victories . He was being recruited by the Chicago White Sox when his Army National Guard unit was called up to serve in World War II . World War II . In World War II , Keeble served with I Company of the famed North Dakota 164th Infantry Regiment . After initial training in Louisiana , the regiment carried out various orders in several West Coast locations before being deployed to Australia in preparation for operations in the Pacific Theater . Keeble ' s unit was assigned to the Americal Division . The 164th landed on Guadalcanal on October 13 , 1942 , to help the battered First Marine Division , which had suffered heavy losses while clearing the South Pacific island of Japanese . The 164th provided the first replacements for the 1st Marines , and although the new boys were green , the exhausted men heartily welcomed the North Dakotans — and their supplies . Keeble ' s regiment of Dakotans was the first United States Army unit to conduct an offensive operation against the enemy in any theater . Largely because of transport constraints , the Americal Division arrived on Guadalcanal piecemeal , and was fed into combat alongside the battle - hardened Marines . Thus , in contrast to how several US Army divisions were deployed in the Pacific War , the soldiers of the 164th Infantry were able to learn the practical art of jungle warfare against the Japanese without suffering as many casualties as might otherwise have occurred . The battles on Guadalcanal were some of the most brutal of the war . Japanese troops adopted the Banzai charge , wildly attacking in human waves . Sometimes the hand - to - hand battles would last all through the night . During these battles , Keeble ' s reputation for bravery and skill grew . Nearly a head taller than most of his fellow soldiers , he was an expert with the Browning Automatic Rifle ( BAR ) . His other great weapon was his pitching arm , which he used to hurl hand grenades with deadly accuracy . James Fenelon , a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North & South Dakota who fought with Keeble on Guadalcanal , once remarked , “ The safest place to be was right next to Woody . ” Despite its " ad hoc " formation , the Americal Division fought well at Guadalcanal , the 164th taking on a key role in the defeat of a major Japanese offensive in October 1942 . Uniquely , the North Dakotans performed so heroically on Guadalcanal in support of the Marines that they received a Navy Presidential Unit Citation . After the battles on Guadalcanal , Keeble and the rest of the regiment participated in combat campaigns on the islands of Bougainville , Leyte , Cebu , and Mindanao . Following the Japanese surrender , the entire Americal Division landed in Japan and took part in the occupation of the Yokohama region . After the war , Keeble returned to Wahpeton and worked at the Wahpeton Indian School . On November 14 , 1947 , he married Nettie Abigail Owen - Robertson ( born March 30 , 1917 ) . Woodrow Keeble on combat . Examining the experience of being in combat for the first time , Keeble explained , Before I experienced the horror of that attack , I was quick to call coward or yellow anyone who showed fear under any circumstances . Nevermore . I don ’ t know these things , but they speak truth to one . I am not a psychologist , nor a statistician , and less of a philosopher ; but the depth of emotion , the dreads of fear , the referees of horrors , and the concentration of self that led me to make this observation , the fear impulse , or perhaps , better said , the ( impulses caused ) by fear , are stronger , more demanding than either that of love or hunger . . . He also wrote : Fear in my opinion is a state of drunkenness . And when men are in that state when the fear impulse takes a hold . . . he loses all reason , sense of values , and is not liable , or at least should not be held accountable for acts perpetrated when thus possessed . Keeble continued : During the 13 months ( in the ) almost continual and sustained combat in which I have ever participated , there were moments , and rare ones , I am sure ; but they lose none of their terror or horror for which fear laid a relentless and a powerful hold on me , that the pull of cowardice was almost more than I could ward off . There were terrible moments that encompassed a lifetime , an endlessness , when terror was so strong in me , that I could feel idiocy replace reason . ( Yet , ) I have never left my position , nor have I shirked hazardous duty . Fear did not make a coward out of me . Korean War . The 164th Infantry Regiment was reactivated in 1951 during the Korean War ; they trained at Camp Rucker , Alabama . When Keeble ' s commanding officer , Lieutenant E . Duane Holly , had to select several sergeants for deployment to the front lines , he decided to have his men draw straws . Keeble volunteered instead . Asked why , Keeble said , “ Somebody has to teach these kids how to fight . ” Keeble was assigned to George Company , 2nd Battalion , 19th Infantry Regiment , 24th Infantry Division . His combat experience and a genuine gift of leadership brought him a quick series of promotions to the level of master sergeant , leading the 1st Platoon . The summer and fall of 1951 were particularly deadly for both sides as the war moved into its second year . The 24th Division was in the central area of the Korean peninsula when , on October 13 , 1951 , the Division was called upon to take a series of steep mountains protecting a major Chinese supply depot in the town of Kumsong . This push , Operation Nomad - Polar , was to be the last major United Nations offensive of the war . Keeble , described as a gentle giant by his friends , was a ferocious warrior in battle , as evidenced by his heroic actions over the next six days . Official records confirm Keeble was initially wounded on October 15 , and then again on October 17 , 18 and 20 - for which he received only one Purple Heart . For his bravery on the 18th , he was awarded a Silver Star . His heroism on the 20th made Keeble a legend - and 57 years later resulted in his posthumous Medal of Honor . George Company was in its sixth day of round - the - clock fighting . They were facing deeply entrenched Chinese soldiers on Hill 675 - 770 , the last major Chinese stronghold between the UN forces and Kumsong . Keeble had thus far suffered two rifle wounds to his left arm , a grenade to his face that almost removed his nose and a badly twisted knee ; on the 19th , doctors reportedly removed 83 pieces of festering shrapnel Keeble had sustained from a concussion grenade the previous day . On the 20th , Medic Dale Selby told Keeble he should stay back because of his wounds , but Keeble refused to let his men go up the mountain without him . That day , Master Sergeant Keeble single - handedly destroyed three enemy machine - gun bunker s and killed an additional seven enemy soldiers in nearby trenches . His bravery in the face of enemy fire was so remarkable that a recommendation that he receive the Medal of Honor was twice submitted . In both cases , the recommendation was lost . When Keeble ' s men endeavored to submit the recommendation a third time , officials informed them they were too late ; they were told regulations prevented them from submitting another recommendation . Later life . Keeble returned to North Dakota after the Korean War and again worked at the Wahpeton Indian School . Soon after , he was afflicted with tuberculosis , which required that he undergo long - term treatment in Minneapolis , Minnesota . Surgeons ultimately removed one of his lungs , which triggered a series of strokes that rendered him speechless , partially paralyzed and unable to work for the remainder of his life . Nettie , his wife of 14 years , died the following year , leaving Keeble to raise their young son , Earl , alone . Keeble fell on hard times and is said to have pawned his medals . Nevertheless , and despite his disabilities , Keeble persevered . In 1967 , he married Blossom Iris Crawford - Hawkins ( born July 18 , 1926 ) , the first Sioux woman to complete a Doctorate of Education . Keeble was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars ( VFW ) Post 4324 - Wahpeton , ND . Keeble died January 28 , 1982 , and is buried in Sisseton , South Dakota . On May 17 , 2008 , his tombstone was replaced with a Medal of Honor headstone . Medal of Honor campaign . Keeble ' s family and friends remained dedicated to efforts to get him the Medal of Honor for which he was twice recommended . United States Senators Byron Dorgan ( D - N . D . ) , Kent Conrad ( D - N . D . ) John Thune ( R - S . D . ) and Tim Johnson ( D - S . D . ) long urged that Keeble be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor . Senator Conrad and North Dakota Adjutant General Michael Haugen presented Keeble ' s family with a duplicate set of his medals on May 30 , 2006 , at the Wahpeton Armory . Moments before the event was to begin , word came that Secretary of the Army Francis Harvey was recommending Keeble ' s Distinguished Service Cross be upgraded to the Medal of Honor . From there , Keeble ' s case moved up to the level of Secretary of Defense . In 2007 , Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld , notified the four Dakota senators that a statute of limitations would prevent the Medal of Honor to be granted . The four Dakota Senators immediately drafted legislation to remove the last barrier to the posthumous awarding of the honor . In May 2007 , the congressional funding bill for Iraq included language to grant a waiver of the statute of limitations for awarding a Medal of Honor to Woodrow W . Keeble , enabling the President to sign off on the recommendation , dependent on the Secretary of Defense ' s recommendation for the upgrade . President Bush signed the legislation on May 24 , 2007 . Senator Thune issued a statement on June 2 that read , in part , Master Sergeant Woodrow W . Keeble served with bravery and dignity , going beyond the call of duty not for notoriety or recognition - but for the mission he believed in and the country he loved . Keeble ' s legacy is a great source of pride for his family , his fellow Dakota Sioux , and all Americans . The Secretary of the Army ' s recommendation is wonderful and long - awaited news . I began working with Master Sergeant Keeble ' s family and tribal officials on resolving this long overdue issue in the spring of 2002 , and I will continue to work with Defense officials to ensure that this legendary soldier receives the final and most distinguished honor he deserves . Senator Johnson urged Secretary of Defense Robert M . Gates to act quickly on the recommendation . “ . . . it is my hope that both you and the President can move forward on Master Sergeant Keeble ’ s case as expeditiously as possible , ” Johnson said in a letter to Gates quoted in the " Argus Leader " of Sioux Falls , South Dakota . It would be another year before the President would finally award the Medal of Honor to Keeble . Despite failing health , Blossom Keeble was determined to live long enough to accept the Medal of Honor on her husband ' s behalf . Unfortunately , she died quite suddenly on June 3 , 2007 before the honor became a reality . In February 2008 , the White House announced that Keeble would receive the Medal of Honor posthumously in a ceremony scheduled for March 3 . " We are just proud to be a part of this for Woody , " Keeble ' s stepson Russell Hawkins said in a U . S . Army announcement . " He is deserving of this , for what he did in the Armed Services in defense of this country . " Hawkins added that this victory is as important for the Sisseton - Wahpeton tribe and North and South Dakota as it is for Keeble and his family . " We are all extremely proud that Woody is finally receiving this honor . He epitomized our cultural values of humility , compassion , bravery , strength and honor . " Hawkins added that Keeble was the embodiment of " woyuonihan " ( " honor " ) , always carrying himself in a way so that those who knew him would be proud of him . " He lived a life full of honor and respect . " Hawkins said his feelings about Keeble echo those of all who knew him . " If he was alive today , I would tell him there ' s no one I respect more , and how he is everything a man should be : brave , kind and generous . I would tell him how proud I am of him , and how I never realized that all this time , I was living with such greatness . " Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States of America , authorized by Act of Congress , March 3 , 2008 , has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to : Master Sergeant Woodrow W . Keeble United States Army Citation : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty : Master Sergeant Woodrow W . Keeble distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Sangsan - ni , Korea , on October 20 , 1951 . On that day , Master Sergeant Keeble was an acting platoon leader for the support platoon in Company G , 19th Infantry , in the attack on Hill 765 , a steep and rugged position that was well defended by the enemy . Leading the support platoon , Master Sergeant Keeble saw that the attacking elements had become pinned down on the slope by heavy enemy fire from three well - fortified and strategically placed enemy positions . With complete disregard for his personal safety , Master Sergeant Keeble dashed forward and joined the pinned - down platoon . Then , hugging the ground , Master Sergeant Keeble crawled forward alone until he was in close proximity to one of the hostile machine - gun emplacements . Ignoring the heavy fire that the crew trained on him , Master Sergeant Keeble activated a grenade and threw it with great accuracy , successfully destroying 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 enemy troops were now directing their 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 , and skillfully neutralized the remaining enemy position . As his comrades moved forward to join him , Master Sergeant Keeble continued to direct accurate fire against nearby trenches , inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy . Inspired by his courage , Company G successfully moved forward and seized its important objective . The extraordinary courage , selfless service , and devotion to duty displayed that day by Master Sergeant Keeble was an inspiration to all around him and reflected great credit upon himself , his unit , and the United States Army . Additional honors . On March 17 , 2008 , the South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds , before a joint session of the State Congress , officially proclaimed the date to be forever commemorated as Woodrow Wilson Keeble Day in the state of South Dakota . On July 23 , 2008 , North Dakota Governor John Hoeven posthumously presented Keeble with the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award , The award recognizes present or former North Dakotans who achieve national recognition in their fields of endeavor . In addition to these awards , numerous regional sites also pay homage to the memory of Woodrow Keeble . A section of U . S . Highway 12 near Keeble ' s birthplace in Waubay , South Dakota , is named in his honor . A special shelter in Chahinkapa Park in Wahpeton was built in his honor . Previous to the Medal of Honor ceremony , the gymnasium at the Wahpeton Indian School , now called the Circle of Nations School , was named for him . In May 2008 , the school celebrated its 100th anniversary and named a new dormitory for Keeble . The State of North Dakota erected a Medal of Honor Memorial in Roosevelt Park in Minot . North Dakota has more Medal of Honor recipients , per capita , than any other state . A separate pillar was built for Woodrow Keeble . It was dedicated during a special celebration on July 4 , 2008 . A new Armed Forces Reserve Center in Sioux Falls has also been named for Keeble .