World War II Honoree

William J. O'Keefe

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

New York, New York

Honored By

Frances O'Keefe

Relationship

Wife

SERVED AS TECHNICIAN 5TH GRADE WITH THE 22ND ARMORED FIELD ARTILLERY ON DUTY WITH THE THE 52ND ARMORED INFANTRY BATTALION. ON DECEMBER 25, 1944, WHILE ON PATROL NEAR METZ, FRANCE, HIS SQUAD WAS CAUGHT IN DEADLY FIRE FROM A HIDDEN GERMAN MACHINE GUN NEST. DISREGARDING HIS OWN PERSONAL SAFETY AND IN CLEAR VIEW OF THE GERMANS, HE STOOD UP AND THREW A GRENADE, WHICH DESTROYED THE ENEMY POSITION. IN DOING THIS, THE ENTIRE SQUAD WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE ITS MISSION WITHOUT SERIOUS CASUALTIES. IN RECOGNITION FOR SERVICE TO HIS COUNTRY, HE WAS AWARDED THE AMERICAN SERVICE MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN SERVICE MEDAL, THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE BRONZE STAR FOR ACTION IN THE HIGHEST TRADITION OF THE U.S. ARMY. SERVED FROM APRIL 24, 1943 TO FEBRUARY 6, 1946.