This is very sad. He was leaving a Fleet Reserve and his trike rolled over.
Make sure you read his MOH citation below the obituary.
Leonard Keller
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LEONARD B. KELLER
1947 - 2009
Medal of Honor recipient Leonard B. Keller passed away on Sunday, October 18 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, FL from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. He was 62.
Calling hours will be Tuesday, October 27 at 2:30 pm at the Aviation Chapel located at NAS Pensacola and will be officiated by William Biuce of Holy Family Church and followed by a funeral service and full military honors conducted by NAS Pensacola.
Friends and family are invited to an additional memorial service November 7, time pending, in Cherry Valley, IL at the Cherry Valley United Methodist Church. The services will be officiated by Pastor Nancy Rethford.
Interment with full military honors will be held November 30, at 11 a.m at Arlington National Cemetery.
Len was born February 25, 1947 in Rockford, IL to Margaret Wheaton and his father, Homer Keller. He attended Guilford High School in Rockford, IL and joined the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of sergeant in Company A, 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. He received his Medal of Honor Citation for action in Ap Bac Zone, Republic of Vietnam, May 2, 1967 for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.
Len had a full career working in the supply department at NAS Pensacola. He retired in 2008, but continued working as a consultant with the U.S. Navy at NAS Pensacola until the time of his death.
Len belonged to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and traveled to various events to speak to schools, honor veterans and to show his deep love and respect for the military.
In addition to the Medal of Honor, he also received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, 2 O/S Bars, the Silver Star, Good Conduct Medal, and received an Expert Badge M-14 Rifle.
He is survived by his daughters, Nichole Siccardi, her husband, Joseph Siccardi, Jr., and Jacquiline Keller; and their mother, JoAnn Christiansen; daughter, Michelle Copple, her husband, Billy Copple; and her mother, Susan Furth. Len enjoyed spending time with his seven grandchildren, Stacia Connor, Skyler Schultz, Anthony Randazzo, Shayla Schultz, Kayli Connor, Alex Randazzo and Micah Keller. Len is also survived by five siblings, Larry Keller of Glendale, AZ, Lonnie Keller of New Port Richey, FL, and Lorraine Alberici, Louis Keller and Lisa Schnard, each of Rockford, IL.
He was predeceased by both his mother, Margaret Wheaton, and father, Homer Keller.
If desired, memorial contributions can be made in Len's memory to a Scholarship Fund through the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
Local arrangements are under the direction of Waters and Hibbert Funeral Home in Pensacola.
Len will be best remembered as light hearted, humble man with a great sense of humor and a love for life. He will be missed greatly as a true companion, friend and father with a passion and honor for all of his military brothers.
KELLER, LEONARD B.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Place and date: Ap Bac Zone, Republic of Vietnam, 2 May 1967. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Born: 25 February 1947, Rockford, Ill.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sweeping through an area where an enemy ambush had occurred earlier, Sgt. Keller's unit suddenly came under Intense automatic weapons and small-arms fire from a number of enemy bunkers and numerous snipers in nearby trees. Sgt. Keller quickly moved to a position where he could fire at a bunker from which automatic fire was received, killing 1 Viet Cong who attempted to escape. Leaping to the top of a dike, he and a comrade charged the enemy bunkers, dangerously exposing themselves to the enemy fire. Armed with a light machinegun, Sgt. Keller and his comrade began a systematic assault on the enemy bunkers. While Sgt. Keller neutralized the fire from the first bunker with his machinegun, the other soldier threw in a hand grenade killing its occupant. Then he and the other soldier charged a second bunker, killing its occupant. A third bunker contained an automatic rifleman who had pinned down much of the friendly platoon. Again, with utter disregard for the fire directed to them, the 2 men charged, killing the enemy within. Continuing their attack, Sgt. Keller and his comrade assaulted 4 more bunkers, killing the enemy within. During their furious assault, Sgt. Keller and his comrade had been almost continuously exposed to intense sniper fire as the enemy desperately sought to stop their attack. The ferocity of their assault had carried the soldiers beyond the line of bunkers into the treeline, forcing snipers to flee. The 2 men gave immediate chase, driving the enemy away from the friendly unit. When his ammunition was exhausted, Sgt. Keller returned to the platoon to assist in the evacuation of the wounded. The 2-man assault had driven an enemy platoon from a well prepared position, accounted for numerous enemy dead, and prevented further friendly casualties. Sgt. Keller's selfless heroism and indomitable fighting spirit saved the lives of many of his comrades and inflicted serious damage on the enemy. His acts were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.
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Make sure you read his MOH citation below the obituary.
Leonard Keller
Share
E-mailVisit Guest Book
LEONARD B. KELLER
1947 - 2009
Medal of Honor recipient Leonard B. Keller passed away on Sunday, October 18 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, FL from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. He was 62.
Calling hours will be Tuesday, October 27 at 2:30 pm at the Aviation Chapel located at NAS Pensacola and will be officiated by William Biuce of Holy Family Church and followed by a funeral service and full military honors conducted by NAS Pensacola.
Friends and family are invited to an additional memorial service November 7, time pending, in Cherry Valley, IL at the Cherry Valley United Methodist Church. The services will be officiated by Pastor Nancy Rethford.
Interment with full military honors will be held November 30, at 11 a.m at Arlington National Cemetery.
Len was born February 25, 1947 in Rockford, IL to Margaret Wheaton and his father, Homer Keller. He attended Guilford High School in Rockford, IL and joined the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of sergeant in Company A, 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. He received his Medal of Honor Citation for action in Ap Bac Zone, Republic of Vietnam, May 2, 1967 for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.
Len had a full career working in the supply department at NAS Pensacola. He retired in 2008, but continued working as a consultant with the U.S. Navy at NAS Pensacola until the time of his death.
Len belonged to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and traveled to various events to speak to schools, honor veterans and to show his deep love and respect for the military.
In addition to the Medal of Honor, he also received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, 2 O/S Bars, the Silver Star, Good Conduct Medal, and received an Expert Badge M-14 Rifle.
He is survived by his daughters, Nichole Siccardi, her husband, Joseph Siccardi, Jr., and Jacquiline Keller; and their mother, JoAnn Christiansen; daughter, Michelle Copple, her husband, Billy Copple; and her mother, Susan Furth. Len enjoyed spending time with his seven grandchildren, Stacia Connor, Skyler Schultz, Anthony Randazzo, Shayla Schultz, Kayli Connor, Alex Randazzo and Micah Keller. Len is also survived by five siblings, Larry Keller of Glendale, AZ, Lonnie Keller of New Port Richey, FL, and Lorraine Alberici, Louis Keller and Lisa Schnard, each of Rockford, IL.
He was predeceased by both his mother, Margaret Wheaton, and father, Homer Keller.
If desired, memorial contributions can be made in Len's memory to a Scholarship Fund through the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
Local arrangements are under the direction of Waters and Hibbert Funeral Home in Pensacola.
Len will be best remembered as light hearted, humble man with a great sense of humor and a love for life. He will be missed greatly as a true companion, friend and father with a passion and honor for all of his military brothers.
The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
KELLER, LEONARD B.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Place and date: Ap Bac Zone, Republic of Vietnam, 2 May 1967. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Born: 25 February 1947, Rockford, Ill.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sweeping through an area where an enemy ambush had occurred earlier, Sgt. Keller's unit suddenly came under Intense automatic weapons and small-arms fire from a number of enemy bunkers and numerous snipers in nearby trees. Sgt. Keller quickly moved to a position where he could fire at a bunker from which automatic fire was received, killing 1 Viet Cong who attempted to escape. Leaping to the top of a dike, he and a comrade charged the enemy bunkers, dangerously exposing themselves to the enemy fire. Armed with a light machinegun, Sgt. Keller and his comrade began a systematic assault on the enemy bunkers. While Sgt. Keller neutralized the fire from the first bunker with his machinegun, the other soldier threw in a hand grenade killing its occupant. Then he and the other soldier charged a second bunker, killing its occupant. A third bunker contained an automatic rifleman who had pinned down much of the friendly platoon. Again, with utter disregard for the fire directed to them, the 2 men charged, killing the enemy within. Continuing their attack, Sgt. Keller and his comrade assaulted 4 more bunkers, killing the enemy within. During their furious assault, Sgt. Keller and his comrade had been almost continuously exposed to intense sniper fire as the enemy desperately sought to stop their attack. The ferocity of their assault had carried the soldiers beyond the line of bunkers into the treeline, forcing snipers to flee. The 2 men gave immediate chase, driving the enemy away from the friendly unit. When his ammunition was exhausted, Sgt. Keller returned to the platoon to assist in the evacuation of the wounded. The 2-man assault had driven an enemy platoon from a well prepared position, accounted for numerous enemy dead, and prevented further friendly casualties. Sgt. Keller's selfless heroism and indomitable fighting spirit saved the lives of many of his comrades and inflicted serious damage on the enemy. His acts were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.
Citation Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com
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