The Graybeards - Korean War Veterans Association

the halftrack, then I got scared. I went up but
when I got there it was too late so I came
back to the aid station. I loaded eight or nine
cases on the “copters” bay, they sure are life
saving machines.
Well that’s it for now. I’ll write again as
soon as possible.
Your son, Joe
P. S. Say hello to the kids for me.
WESTERN UNION
BA175 MA257
M.WA203 LONG GOVT RX PD-WUX
WASH DC
MR AND MRS THOMAS FRANCIS KEENAN
43 MATHER ST
DORCHESTER MASS
IT IS WITH DEEP REGRET THAT I OFFICIALLY REPORT
THE DEATH OF YOUR SON JOSEPH FRANCIS
KEENAN HOSPITAL CORPSMAN THIRD CLASS US
NAVY WHICH OCCURRED ON 26 MARCH 1953 AS A
RESULT OF ACTION IN THE KOREAN AREA. WHEN
FURTHER DETAILS INCLUDED INFORMATION AS TO
THE DISPOSITION OF THE REMAINS ARE RECEIVED
YOU WILL BE INFORMED. YOUR SON DIED WHILE
SERVING HIS COUNTRY AND I EXTEND TO YOU MY
SINCEREST SYMPATHY IN YOUR GREAT LOSS.
VICE ADMIRAL J L HOLLOWAY JR
CHIEF OF NAVAL PERSONNEL
Letter to the family from Pfc. Floyd W.
Caton F/2/5
March 27, 1953
Dear Mrs. Keenan,
Just a few fines to let you know I was
on the raid last night when Joe got hit, he
never got hit bad so don’t worry about
Joe. He got hit in the wrist and also got a
little sand in his eyes but not enough to
hurt them. He was with our fire team
when it happened. So believe me Mrs.
Keenan when I tell you Joe will be alright.
When we were out there Joe was doing a
wonderful job taking care of the wounded
and when the corpsman came over to take
care of Joe when he got hit Joe said to go
help the other guys who need care more
than I do.
Mrs. Keenan I haven’t known Joe too
long but in my book he’s tops, he’s one of
the finest guys I’ve ever met.
Well there isn’t much more I can tell
about Joe. But Mrs. Keenan don’t worry
about Joe he will be just fine in a couple
of days. I will close for now.
A very dear friend of Joe’s.
Floyd W. Caton
Letter to the family from Pvt. Dan Holl
F/2/5
March 27, 1953
Dear Mrs. Keenan,
This is just a short note to let you know
about your son Joe. He got hit slightly in
the arm by a mortar last night while on a
raid with our company. He was with my
firing team when we started the attack on
the hill [Reno] and during most of the
raid. He done the job of a platoon of men
before he got hit and quite a while after.
He also refused medical aid from anyone
until he was sure everyone else was properly
cared for. Your son is and will always
be one of the most well liked guys in our
company. I became good friends with him
shortly after he arrived in Fox Co. We
seen him leave the hill and I also checked
in the aid station to see if he was all right.
He got quite a bit of dust in his eyes but it
didn’t bother his vision after they were
cleaned.
Joe’s friend,
Dan Holl
Joe is in fine hands and there are no serious
wounds.
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20350-1000
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the NAVY
CROSS posthumously to
HOSPITAL CORPSMAN THIRD CLASS
JOSEPH F. KEENAN
UNITED STATES NAVY
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy while assigned as a
Hospital Corpsman for Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, First
Marine Division serving in the Republic of Korea on 26 and 27 March 1953.
On the evening of 26 March, 3,500 enemy soldiers attacked 120 Marines at
three small outposts forward of the Marines, main line of resistance. Petty
Officer Keenan’s company moved forward to repel the enemy when they were
pinned down by murderous artillery and mortar fire. While moving to treat one
of the numerous casualties, he was struck by shrapnel in the hand. Petty Officer
Keenan waived off medical attention from another hospital corpsman, directing
that assistance to his wounded Marines, when he was struck a second time
in the head. Despite the serious nature of his wounds, he returned to the fight
immediately after basic treatment and a resupply of medical items. Moving
through the open terrain to treat the wounded, Petty Officer Keenan was partially
blinded by dirt from one of the many nearby explosions. Although his
sight was impaired, he found and assisted two hospital corpsmen in caring for
bleeding Marines in an open position. Having helped the casualties there, Petty
Officer Keenan struck out to find other wounded despite his own pain and the
constant threat of deadly shellfire. Petty Officer Keenan then proceeded to collect
and treat six casualties in a gulley that afforded scant cover. When two
Marines saw his wounds and his dangerous situation, he defiantly refused their
pleas to seek treatment and safety for himself. Holding his duty to his patients
paramount, he remained with his downed comrades. Later in the fight, Petty
Officer Keenan was struck by shrapnel as he continued his ministrations of
mercy, gallantly sacrificing his life for his Marines and for his Country. Petty
Officer Keenan’s courage, drive, and unselfish dedication to duty reflected
great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the
United States Naval Service.
For the President,
Secretary of the Navy
John H. Dalton
January/February, 2000 Page 59