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David G. “Dave” Keithley

Home...BiographiesDavid G. “Dave” Keithley

David G. "Dave" Keithley

from The Lowell Tribune, Sept. 14, 1950, page 2, column 1:
    David Keithley, son of George Keithley, who was called in the first draft, left Monday for induction. David graduated from L.H.S. with the class fo '45.
from The Lowell Tribune, Dec. 28, 1950, page 1, column 2:
The following March 8, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 6, column 2:
    Pvt. David Keithley has been transferred to Korea and sends his new address to his friends: Pvt. Dave Keithley, U.S. 55030417, Co. M, 17th Regimental Combat Team, APO 7, c/o P.M., San Francisco, California.
This April 19, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 4, column 2:

    David Keithley Awarded Infantryman Badge

    With the 7th Infantry Division in Korea -- Pvt. David Keithley, son of Mr. George Keithley, Lowell, Indiana, was recently award the Combat Infantryman Badge for exemplary conduct in ground combat against the armed enemy. Keithley is a machine gunner with the 17th Infantry Regiment (the Buffalos).

    His unit participated in two amphibious landings and later spearheaded the United Nations advance to the Yalu river. More recently the "Buffalos" cut through strong Red defenses and secured the eastern end of the lateral Wonju-Pangnim road.

    Private Keithley entered the service from Indianapolis.

The following August 23, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 4:

    Cpl. David Keithley Wins Battle Honor

    With the 7th Infantry division in Korea, Pfc. David G. Keithley, Lowell, recently won a combat promotion to corporal for exemplary performance of duty on the battlefield.

    He is a machine gunner with the 7th Infantry (Buffalo) Regiment on the central front in Korea.

    After capturing the city of Hwachon in the latest United Nations offensive, Keithley and his buddies advanced over strongly defended terrain to secure the high ground east of the "Iron Triangle" city of Kumhwa.

    Before entering the service, Dave attended Lowell high school.

This September 20, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
    With the 7th Inf. Div. in Korea -- David G. Keithley of Lowell, Ind., has won a combat promotion to sergeant for outstanding performance of duty while in action with the 7th Infantry Division.

    Sgt. Keithley is a squad leader with the 17th Infantry Regiment, one of the units currently engaged in assaults on Communist positions on the central front.

    A veteran of four months Korean combat, Keithley wears the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Korean Service Ribbon.

    Before entering the army he attended Lowell high school.

This September 27, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 5:

    Home! Sweet Home!

    We paused to appreciate home after reading a letter received from Sgt. David Keithley, serving on the battle front in Korea with the 17th Regiment Combat Team of the 7th Division, known as the Buffalos because the group grew mustaches Buffalo Bill style. He tells us that the scene of Commercial Avenue (published in the August 9th edition which he received Sept. 13th) "sure looks good" and adds that he hopes it won't be long before "I'm walking on it again."

    He wishes he could have been present at the dedication of the new football field, reads about the games in The Tribune and sends a message of "good luck" to Coach Mike.

    Dave closed with: "Well, 'Chuck,' never let it be said that your paper doesn't get around. As I'm sitting out here reading it, I'm watching for Joe's Chinks through binoculars."

The following October 18, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
    News comes but seldom from Lowell's soldiers at Hearbreak hill. While we fervently pray for their safety, theses boys defend their lives in vicious bayonet battles against surge after surge of Chinese. Bill Jonelis tells of battling 15 days before being relieved of his mortar so he could relax and wash up. Dave Keithley, Bud Gerner, and Dick Uhter have also been on the battlefront for a long time, as are other boys of the area.

    Although they haven't time to answer, keep your letters and cards going in their direction.

The following November 22, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 5:

    Promoted to Sgt. 1/c

    WITH THE 7TH INFANTRY DIVISION IN KOREA -- David G. Keithley, 23, Lowell, was recently promoted to sergeant first class while serving with the 7th Infantry Division in rugged mountain terrain north of the 38th parallel.

    Recognized as the most traveled division in the Far East, the 7th fought its way from Pusan to the Manchurian Border earlier in the war.

    Dave, a platoon sergeant in M Co., has been in the army 13 months. He arrived in Korea February 3rd and wears the Korean Service Ribbon with three campaign stars, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

    After graduating from Lowell high school, Dave was a truck driver before entering the army.

The following November 29, 1951, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 2:
    Casualty on a Korean gridiron! No gridiron, no equipment, but someone has a football -- so a game ensued on November 13th when David Keithley was sent from the battle front to the reserves' camp to help instruct men for replacements in the line. Dave is nursing a broken nose and many bruises but is happy with thoughts of home for his name has been posted for rotation.
This information appeared in a January 31, 1952, Lowell Tribune article on page 1, column 3:
    David G. Keithley, son of George Keithley, was among the 3227 rotation troops which arrived in Seattle this week aboard the navy transport R.L. Howze.

    Bill [Jonelis] and Dave were inducted on the same day, received basic training at Ft. Knox and went to Korea together. Dave's return was delayed due to injury (a broken nose) sustained playing football behind the front lines when granted a few days rest from battle.

    The safe return of Bill and Dave, who were the recipients of Divine watchfulness through our daily prayers, brings gladness to the entire community.

This July 3, 1952, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 4:
    David Keithley and his wife, the former Audrey Peterson of Cedar Lake, are now residing at the Lake since his release from the Army 2 weeks ago. A veteran of Korean service, David became ill after his return and was hospitalized in Colorado for several weeks prior to his discharge from active duty. Well wishes for a complete recovery are extended Dave.
Last updated on July 28, 2005.

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