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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Geoffrey Keyes (ASN: 0-3561), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, II Corps, for the period 1 December 1944 to 2 May 1945 in Italy. General Keyes’ corps had completed a most strenuous campaign which had resulted in its breaking of the German Gothic Line in Italy and was faced with the probability of playing a major role in the conquest of the Apennine Mountains and pursuit of the enemy into the Po Valley. Fully realizing the magnitude of the job to be accomplished in overcoming exceedingly well-prepared fortifications as well as mountainous terrain, General Keyes set about the re-equipping, training and preparing of his corps for the offensive action required. Throughout the winter months he worked tirelessly so that II Corps would be prepared at the appropriate time to drive the German forces into the open and destroy them. General Keyes’ plan for the preparation of II Corps was so excellently conceived and carried out that when his troops took the offensive on the night of 15 – 16 April 1945 they pressed forward aggressively, smashing holes into the enemy’s defenses despite fanatical resistance. As a result of his rapid shifting of his troops to take full advantage of every opportunity, his corps broke through the Apennines with a minimum of losses and in readiness for a decisive thrust across the Po Valley. During General Keyes’ pursuit of the enemy in the Po Valley he boldly committed elements of his corps, seizing critical objectives with such rapidity that the bewildered enemy was powerless to stem his attack. His troops crossed in rapid succession the Po, Adige and Brenta Rivers and were only halted by the unconditional surrender of the thoroughly beaten, demoralized and nearly annihilated enemy forces on 2 May 1945. The outstanding leadership of General Keyes was a prime factor in the crushing defeat of the enemy forces in Italy.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    Western Task Force, North Africa

    Action Date:

    1942

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Major General Geoffrey Keyes (ASN: 0-3561), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. General Keyes demonstrated leadership and organizational abilities of a superior order during the preliminary organization of Western Task Force and the planning of Operations in 1942. During the period and particularly during landing operations and subsequent combat operations, his tireless energy, devotion and sound judgment were outstanding. On 10 November his personal intervention at the Front stabilized a bad situation and prevented a withdrawal from becoming much more serious.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    I Armored Corps

    Action Date:

    1943
    U.S. Army-North African Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 80 (August 19, 1943)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major General Geoffrey Keyes (ASN: 0-3561), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Deputy Commanding General of the I Armored Corps, in action during the North African and Sicilian campaigns in 1943. As Commanding General of the Provisional Corps, SEVENTH Army, consisting of a small improvised staff; the 2d Armored and 3d Infantry Divisions; a composite division formed from those elements of the 82d Airborne Division in Sicily; the 39th Regimental Combat Team; divisional artillery of the 9th Infantry Division; 3 Ranger Battalions; and certain Corps artillery units, General Keyes maneuvered and fought this organization from Agrigento to Palermo over distances varying from 90 to 125 miles, and in one continuous and unrelenting offensive of five days’ duration successfully terminated the operation by capturing the key city of Palermo. General Keyes’ extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    VII Army

    Action Date:

    July 1943
    War Department, General Orders No. 49 (1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Geoffrey Keyes (ASN: 0-3561), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility. As Commanding General of the Provisional Corps, SEVENTH Army, organized 17 July 1943, in Sicily, consisting of a small improvised staff; the 2d Armored and 3d Infantry Divisions; a composite division formed from those elements of the 82d Airborne Division in Sicily; the 39th Regimental Combat Team; divisional artillery of the 9th Infantry Division; 3 Ranger Battalions; and certain Corps artillery units, General Keyes maneuvered and fought this organization from Agrigento to Palermo over distances varying from 90 to 125 miles, and in one continuous and unrelenting offensive of five days’ duration successfully terminated the operation by capturing the key city of Palermo. In the conduct of this operation, General Keyes demonstrated tactical judgment, courage and drive of a most superior type, and by his continued personal contact with the front line unit commanders, contributed immeasurably to the remarkable success of his own Corps and of the SEVENTH Army as a whole.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    VII Army

    Action Date:

    July 1943
    General Orders No. 19 (September 1, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major General Geoffrey Keyes (ASN: 0-3561), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Deputy Commanding General of the SEVENTH U.S. Army, in action against the enemy in Sicily, in July 1943. General Keyes made daily flights over the enemy lines in a Piper Cub to secure information and keep the Commanding General, SEVENTH Army, accurately informed of the location of his own front line troops. These flights, made without fighter escort, and heedless of personal risk, were a major factor in the rapid and overwhelming victory achieved by the SEVENTH Army and served as an inspiring example to the entire command. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major General Keyes, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    FIFTH U.S. Army

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, FIFTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 108 (1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major General Geoffrey Keyes (ASN: 0-3561), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding General, U.S. Army II Corps, in action against the enemy in Italy, in 1944. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major General Keyes, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    May 20, 1947 – October 15, 1950

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Geoffrey Keyes (ASN: 0-3561), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. As both U.S. High Commissioner for Austria and Commanding General, United States Forces in Austria, General Keyes distinguished himself by exceptional leadership in the performance of duty from 20 May 1947 to 15 October 1950. With singleness of purpose and unswerving determination he greatly furthered the implementation of U.S. policy toward Austria during a very difficult and trying period of post war world tension.