Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General William Morgan Keys (MCSN: 0-79544/0302), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Commander, United States Marine Forces, Atlantic, from June 1991 to July 1994. General Keys displayed dynamic leadership, doctrinal and operational boldness, and dogged determination in aggressively pursuing initiatives that enhanced the Force’s ability to successfully prevail on the joint battlefield. He significantly improved the Commanders-in-Chiefs ability to best utilize the operational capabilities of all the forces available. With the establishment of the United States Atlantic Command (USACOM) as the joint force integrator for CONUS-based forces, General Keys’ leadership was crucial in shaping and defining many joint warfare concepts, including the standardized development of the Joint Air Force Component Commander (JFACC) concept within USACOM and United States Pacific Command. As Joint Task Force Commander for OCEAN VENTURE 92, he built upon improved communications capabilities and better joint tactics, techniques, and procedures within the JFACC/JTCB. He also played a key role in the development of joint training concepts and exercise schedules currently emerging from USACOM. The distinctive accomplishments of General Keys culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Marine Corps, and the Department of Defense.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Navy Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant GeneralBatallion:
1st Battalion
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General William Morgan Keys (MCSN: 0-79544), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander, United States Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, from June 1991 to July 1994. During a period of increasing political instability throughout the world and decreasing United States defense budgets to meet the challenge, Lieutenant General Keys displayed dynamic leadership, doctrinal and operational boldness, and dogged determination in aggressively pursuing initiatives that would enhance the Force’s ability to successfully prevail on the joint battlefield. His total emphasis on thorough planning, realistic training, and aggressive execution also ensured that the Marine Forces that forward-deployed to the world’s hotspots, were well prepared to successfully perform their missions. Overall, Lieutenant General Keys’ dedication to improving the Marine Corps’ support of the combatant Commanders in Chief and the comb at capabilities of the II Marine Expeditionary Force were ample evidence of his conviction and perseverance in ensuring that United States Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic, possessed the wherewithal to carry out our Nation’s goals and meet the requirements of our National defense strategy. By his superlative achievements, steadfast perseverance, and unsurpassed devotion to duty, Lieutenant General Keys reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Major GeneralBatallion:
1st BattalionAction Date:
December 13, 1990 – April 14, 1991
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Major General William Morgan Keys (MCSN: 0-79544/0302), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, SECOND Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force during operations against the enemy aggressor forces in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait from 13 December 1990 to 14 April 1991. In less than three months, General Keys masterfully deployed the SECOND Marine Division from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to Saudi Arabia. Faced with having to breach two Iraqi obstacle belts, he trained the heaviest mechanized force in Marine Corps history. Major General Keys personally led the SECOND Marine Division in that attack, overwhelming a numerically superior force and decisively defeating the enemy in four days. By his ceaseless leadership, sage judgment, and courageous devotion to duty, Major General Keys reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
9th MarinesDivision:
3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMFAction Date:
March 5, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain William Morgan Keys (MCSN: 0-79544), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company D, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 5 March 1967, while participating in Operation PRAIRIE II in the Gio Linh District. On that date, Captain Keys company came under intense enemy small arms, mortar and rocket fire while moving through a narrow valley. Rushing to a vantage point, Captain Keys immediately and aggressively directed all available fire on the enemy force. When the lead platoon was temporarily halted, he unhesitatingly and fearlessly led the assault on the enemy positions. Shouting encouragement to his men, Captain Keys heroically closed with the enemy in hand-to-hand combat in the dense underbrush and personally killed four of them. Despite the danger of mines and the increasingly heavy enemy fire, he was constantly at the heaviest point of contact, personally directing his unit. As a result of Captain Key’s superior leadership and exemplary aggressiveness, the company accounted for more than seventy enemy killed and the remainder of the force, estimated to be over a company, fled in panic and confusion, abandoning their equipment and eighty-four weapons. His outstanding professionalism and bold initiative were an inspiration to all who served with him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his inspiring leadership, uncommon courage and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme danger, Captain Keys upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
9th MarinesDivision:
3d Marine Division (Rein.) FMFAction Date:
March 2, 1967
Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and MedalsThe President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain William M. Keys (MCSN: 0-79544), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer, Company D, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, while engaged in action against elements of the North Vietnamese Army and insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces during Operation PRAIRIE II in the Cam Lo district of the Republic of Vietnam on 2 March 1967. While on a search and destroy mission, Captain Keys’ company made contact with a large enemy force estimated to be two companies in strength. During this contact, the company command post group received heavy automatic-weapons and mortar fire from the rear. Realizing that his rifle platoons were heavily engaged, Captain Keys organized his command group into an assault element and led them against the enemy, who were firing into his position. Personally leading his small group against a numerically superior force, he succeeded in completely overrunning the North Vietnamese, personally killing six and destroying a machine gun position. Immediately following this fire fight he rushed to the rear of his center platoon where he could best direct the deployment of his company. During the next four hours his company repelled attack after attack by a determined enemy. This period found Captain Keys along the entire line of his company, shouting encouragement, shifting forces to meet each new attack, and successfully directing all aspects of his company’s firepower and supporting arms. Following the enemy’s last attack, Captain Keys immediately reorganized his company and attacked the enemy before they could withdraw to a safe area. While completely overrunning the enemy camp, his company succeeded in killing 183 North Vietnamese soldiers and capturing eight prisoners and nearly 200 weapons. Realizing that the surviving enemy would attempt to circumvent his company during the oncoming darkness and escape to the north, Captain Keys placed his company in a blocking position, thereby forcing the enemy to withdraw into a prearranged zone where they were pounded by air and artillery resulting in 44 more enemy killed. As a result of his professional skill and stirring example, the enemy forces in his area of operations were completely routed. By his daring performance and loyal devotion to duty in the face of great personal risk, Captain Keys reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
MajorAction Date:
June 23, 1972 – March 1, 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Major William Morgan Keys (MCSN: 0-79544/0302), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in the Republic of Vietnam serving with the Marine Advisory Unit from 23 June 1972 to 1 March 1973. Assigned initially as the Assistant Brigade Advisor to Vietnamese Marine Brigade ONE FORTY-SEVEN, Major Keys provided valuable advice and assistance to the Brigade operations officer during the early stages of the Vietnamese Marine Division counter-offensive to recapture Quang Tri Province from the invading North Vietnamese Army. Working with tireless precision, he assisted in planning and controlling supporting arms during continuous infantry-armor attacks as well as during two highly successful helicopter-borne assaults against the entrenched communist forces. Later, as Senior Battalion Advisor, he served for six weeks with the FOURTH Vietnamese Marine Infantry Battalion north of Quang Tri City. During that period, the FOURTH Battalion, as part of the overall Vietnamese Marine assault on Quang Tri City, was ordered to stop any enemy attempt to reinforce the city from the north. By his sound tactical advice, personal courage and calm coordination of supporting arms, Major Keys played a significant part in repelling the fierce enemy attacks. Establishing a close working relationship with his counterpart and a high espirit among his fourteen man advisory team, he personally was responsible for developing an extremely efficient and effective Brigade advisory effort despite continuous combat conditions. Constantly attempting to improve the employment of supporting arms, he introduced the use of low flying helicopters to adjust naval gunfire. This system, which he perfected, has been credited with saving many friendly lives in that it provided for continued delivery of accurate naval gunfire during periods of low visibility. During his tour as Senior Advisor, Brigade ONE FORTY-SEVEN was the focal point of both Vietnamese Marine and enemy initiated action within the Marine Division Area of Operations as the Brigade continuously pressed northward toward the Cua Viet River against determined communist resistance. The offensive was culminated on 28 January 1973 when the Vietnamese Marines reached the Cua Viet River, only minutes before the ceasefire was put into effect. Major Keys devotion to duty, courage under fire, and exemplary professionalism were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Major Keys is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)