Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division
Place and date: Ap Bac Zone, Republic of Vietnam, 2 May 1967
Entered service at: Chicago, Illinois
Born: 25 February 1947, Rockford, Illinois
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 machine gun, 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 machine gun, 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 tree line, 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.