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 Captain (Infantry) Henry B. Keep (ASN: 0-1283270), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, 3d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 7 January 1945, at ****, Belgium. The battalion’s dawn attack upon the town was encountering great difficulties when two of the three tank destroyers attached to the battalion were knocked out and a considerable portion of the attacking infantry were casualties. Captain Keep quickly reorganized the attacking force and, with the remaining tank destroyer, personally directed the assault. In spite of heavy enemy artillery and small arms fire, he led the foremost attacking elements with great skill and courage, advising and encouraging the men by his own example to further their efforts. Later in the morning when the town was under an artillery barrage, he went to the center of the village and evacuated a trapped clean-up detail. Captain Keep’s gallant and heroic action, besides saving many lives, insured the success of the attack and reflects credit on the Airborne Forces of the United States Army.


