On this day, 55 years ago, on May 8, 1970, Lance Corporal Miguel Keith, 18, of Omaha, Nebraska, was serving as a machine gunner with Combined Action Platoon 1-3-2 in Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam. That morning, his platoon was engaged in a fierce firefight when they came under a heavy ground attack by a much larger enemy force.
The attack began with intense enemy fire directed at the platoon’s defensive positions. Keith, who had already been wounded early in the assault, refused to be evacuated and instead continued to fight. He ran across fire-swept terrain to check on the security of vital positions, all while under constant enemy fire. Despite his injuries, he operated his machine gun with precision, unleashing deadly fire at the advancing enemy and forcing them to hesitate.
As the attack intensified, Keith saw a group of enemy soldiers moving toward his platoon’s command post. With no thought for his own safety, he charged forward, moving through a hail of gunfire. He took down three of the enemy soldiers and forced the others to retreat, buying valuable time for his fellow Marines.
In the midst of the chaos, a grenade exploded near Keith, knocking him to the ground and severely wounding him. Though his injuries were critical, he refused to stop fighting. He spotted a group of about 25 enemy soldiers preparing to attack his platoon’s position. Determined to stop them, Keith again moved forward, advancing toward the enemy while firing his weapon. His assault was successful, killing four of the enemy and scattering the rest. However, during this final push, Keith was mortally wounded by enemy fire.
Keith’s actions were instrumental in disrupting the enemy’s attack and ensuring the survival of his platoon. His bravery and tenacity under fire helped prevent the enemy from overrunning their position and exemplified the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy.
He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, which was presented to his family by Vice President Spiro T. Agnew on September 15, 1971. Keith is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Omaha, Nebraska.
