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1st Cavalry Division

12th Cavalry
Regiment
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Rod and Debby washing Panel 33 East of the 
Vietnam Veterans Memorial,  Washington, D.C.
(Proudly wearing their 1st Cav Kid Shirts)

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MSG Richard C. Keefe was born February 15, 1936 to William C. and Frances A. Keefe (both deceased) of Houston, Texas. He was the second to the youngest of four children. Richard (Dick) graduated in 1954 from St. Thomas High School in Houston, Texas. He enlisted in the Army August 22, 1955.

MSG Keefe was a ROTC instructor at Oklahoma State University (1964-1967) prior to his tour in Vietnam which began on July 4, 1967. His career was the Army, and he served his country proudly for more than twelve years. He was posthumously promoted to the grade of MSG E-8, having been recommended for promotion on December 17, 1967.

At the time he was killed, he was serving as the Assistant Intelligence Specialist of the 1st Cav (AMBL), HHC, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry, at 
LZ Ross. He was last seen as a passenger on the Battalion Commander’s (LTC Bob Gregory) command and control helicopter when it was shot down over Quang Nam, Vietnam. LTC Gregory was flying recon and looking for the enemy by trying to draw their fire. MSG Keefe was MIA from January 7, 1968 until February 22, 1968, when his body was found buried in a shallow grave by Army Graves Personnel (A Co., 23rd S&T Bn.).

MSG Keefe is survived by three children, Rod, Debby, and Tim.

Awards: Silver Star, Bronze Star, Expert Infantryman's Badge, Good Conduct Medal (3rd ), Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Sharpshooter M-14 Rifle, Expert 106 Recoilless Rifle, Expert 81MM Mortar, Expert M-1 Rifle
 

MSG Keefe is mentioned several times in "The Lost Battalion", a book written about the 1st Air Cav, 2/12th, Vietnam, 1968.  The author, LTC Charles A. Krohn (Retired), was MSG Keefe's superior officer at the time of his death.

The Lost Battalion -
Controversy and Casualties in the Battle of Hue