DATE OF BIRTH: June 20, 1916
PLACE OF BIRTH:
Kansas City, Missouri
HOME OF RECORD:
Kansas City, Missouri
LeRoy Keith became a World War II Navy ACE, credited with shooting down 5.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He retired as a U.S. Navy Captain in 1959.
AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION:1 of 3
Navy Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War II
Service: Navy
Battalion: Fighting Squadron 80 (VF-80)
Division: U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)
GENERAL ORDERS:
Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0156 (March 8, 1945)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander LeRoy William James Keith (NSN: 0-81595), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron EIGHTY (VF-80), attached to the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Tokyo, Japan, on 16 February 1945. Leading his squadron on the initial fighter sweep against enemy air installations and aircraft in this area, Lieutenant Commander Keith carried out his attacks with skill, personally shooting down five hostile planes and probably destroying two others and subsequently through intense enemy fire brought his entire flight safely back to its carrier. By his airmanship, courage and devotion to duty throughout this hazardous operation, Lieutenant Commander Keith upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Webmaster: For additional information, go to "In Memoriam" and read Capt. Keith's memorial with navy and squadron History.
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