2007 KWVA Election Results - Korean War Veterans Association

in the year since the story appeared in Indian Country Today.
That is explained in part by this March 27, 2007 press release
from U.S. Senator Tim Johnson’s (D-SD) office, which he
issued four days after introducing S 978 IS in the U.S. Senate,
“a bill to authorize the awarding of the Medal of Honor to
Woodrow W. Keeble for his acts of valor during the Korean
conflict.” (See the sidebar.)
Johnson Pushes to Have Keeble Considered for
Medal of Honor Award
Washington, DC— After working on the issue for nearly
five years, U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) joined with
Senators from North and South Dakota on the latest effort to
have Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and President George
W. Bush consider Master Sergeant Woodrow W. Keeble for
the Medal of Honor for his heroic efforts during the Korean
War.
“I first started working on this case back in 2002. Now the
Pentagon tells us they need Congressional action to have the
time limits waived in order to have Master Sergeant Keeble
considered for the Medal of Honor. This is another hurdle to
cross, but a worthy fight for Woodrow Keeble, who valiantly
fought for this nation. It is my hope that once this time limit
is waived, that the Department of Defense and eventually the
President will give Keeble his fair consideration,” Johnson
said.
Johnson has been active on this case over the past five
years, has been briefed on the most recent development and
asked to join the effort as an original cosponsor on stand alone
legislation and an amendment to the Emergency Supplemental
bill being debated on the Senate floor this week. Johnson’s
staff remains in constant contact with the Pentagon on this
issue.
Based on an affidavit from a member of the company that
the original recommendations for the Medal of Honor had
been lost, Johnson originally asked the Secretary of the Army
to waive the normal three year statute of limitations requirement
for consideration of the Medal of Honor. Last year, the
Secretary of Army recommended Keeble for the Medal of
Honor, but the file has remained with the Secretary of
Defense. The Secretary of Defense must still approve the
award before it can be sent to the President.
The recommendation to posthumously award the Medal of
Honor to Master Sergeant Keeble had already been reviewed
by a Senior Army Decorations Board.
In a letter to Johnson dated, May 31, 2006, Secretary
Harvey said, “After giving this request my careful and personal
consideration, it is my recommendation that the award
of the Medal of Honor is the appropriate award to recognize
Master Sergeant Woodrow W. Keeble’s gallant acts. This
brave soldier clearly distinguished himself though his courageous
actions.”
There is some encouraging news in the quest for Keeble’s
MOH according to an April 23, 2007, press release from
Senator Byron Dorgan’s office:
To authorize the awarding of the Medal of Honor to Woodrow W.
Keeble for his acts of valor during the Korean conflict.
(Introduced in Senate)
S 978 IS
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 978
To authorize the awarding of the Medal of Honor to Woodrow W.
Keeble for his acts of valor during the Korean conflict.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 23, 2007
Mr. DORGAN (for himself, Mr. JOHNSON, Mr. THUNE, and Mr.
CONRAD) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Armed Services
A BILL
To authorize the awarding of the Medal of Honor to Woodrow W.
Keeble for his acts of valor during the Korean conflict.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. AUTHORITY TO AWARD MEDAL OF HONOR TO
WOODROW W. KEEBLE FOR VALOR DURING THE KOREAN CON-
FLICT.
Notwithstanding the time limitations specified in section 3744 of
title 10, United States Code, or any other time limitation with
respect to the awarding of certain medals to persons who served
in the military, the President may award the Medal of Honor under
section 3741 of such title to Woodrow W. Keeble for his acts of
valor as an acting platoon leader on October 20, 1951 during the
Korean conflict.
Dorgan And Johnson Announce Legislation To Honor
Woodrow Wilson Keeble Clears Key Hurdle In
Congress
(Washington, D.C.) —- U.S. Senators Byron Dorgan (D-
ND) and Tim Johnson (D-SD) announced Monday a House-
Senate conference committee has approved legislation that
would clear the way for the President to award a long-overdue
Medal of Honor to Woodrow Wilson Keeble, a member of the
Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux tribe who fought in World War II
and the Korean War.
Dorgan and Johnson are members of the House-Senate conference
committee that negotiated the final version of the
emergency supplemental appropriations bill.
“Woodrow Wilson Keeble displayed uncommon valor in
battle, and our nation owes him a debt of gratitude for his
service,” Dorgan said. “It’s not for me to decide who gets a
Medal of Honor, but a technicality should not prevent the
President from giving this award to one of our heroes.”
“I first started working on Woodrow Keeble’s case back
in 2002. Getting this provision signed into law would be a
Continued on page 31
23
The Graybeards
May – June 2007