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Namesake
Lance Corporal Miguel Keith USMC posthumously Medal of Honor recipient.
Citation
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a machine gunner with Combined Action Platoon 1-3-2,
III Marine Amphibious Force, operating in Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning of 8 May 1970, Lance Corporal Keith was seriously wounded
when his platoon was subjected to a heavy ground attack by a greatly outnumbering enemy force. Despite his painful wounds, he ran across the fire-swept terrain to check
the security of vital defensive positions, and then, while completely exposed to view, proceeded to deliver a hail of devastating machine gun fire against the enemy.
Determined to stop five of the enemy approaching the command post, he rushed forward, firing as he advanced. He succeeded in disposing of three of the attackers and in
dispersing the remaining two. At this point, a grenade detonated near Lance Corporal Keith, knocking him to the ground and inflicting further severe wounds. Fighting pain
and weakness from loss of blood, he again braved the concentrated hostile fire to charge an estimated twenty-five enemy soldiers who were massing to attack. The vigor of his assault and his well-placed fire eliminated four of the enemy while the remainder fled for cover. During this valiant effort, he was mortally wounded by an enemy soldier. By his courageous and inspiring performance in the face of almost overwhelming odds, Lance Corporal Keith contributed in large measure to the success of his platoon in routing a numerically superior enemy force, and upheld the finest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
/S/ Richard M. Nixon |
Tommy Trampp |
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The future USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5) departs General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. shipyard in San Diego, CA.,
4 October 2019. During the weeklong acceptance trials, the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey conducted comprehensive tests to demonstrate and evaluate the
performance of all of the ship’s major systems.
US Navy Photo # 191016-N-JC336-001, courtesy NASSCO. |
Lee Wahler |
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The future USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5), returns 11 October 2019, to General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. shipyard in San Diego,
CA. after completing acceptance trials, 11 October 2019.
US Navy Photo |
Lee Wahler |
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The future USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5) ties up at Naval Station Norfolk, VA., date unknown.
US Navy photo by MC1 David Kolmel. |
Lee Wahler |
09880506 |
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Commissioning ceremony for USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5), 8 May 2021, at Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, CA.
U.S. Navy Photo |
Dale Hargrave |
09880513 |
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The Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5) sits pierside, 8 May 2021, during the ship’s commissioning ceremony.
Miguel Keith is the Navy’s third purpose-built expeditionary sea base (ESB). While originally created to operate as a support ship under Military Sealift Command,
USS Miguel Keith has been commissioned to provide greater mission flexibility in accordance with the laws of armed conflict. USS Miguel Keith is named after
Marine Corps Vietnam veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Lance Cpl. Miguel Keith and is the first ship to bear the name.
U.S. Navy photo # 210508-N-OA516-1007 by MC2 Kevin C. Leitner |
Tommy Trampp |
09880515 |
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Adm. Craig S. Faller, Commander, U.S. Southern Command, speaks during the commissioning ceremony for the Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base
USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5). Miguel Keith is the Navy’s third purpose-built expeditionary sea base (ESB). While originally created to operate as a support ship
under Military Sealift Command, USS Miguel Keith has been commissioned to provide greater mission flexibility in accordance with the laws of armed conflict.
U.S. Navy photo # 210508-N-OA516-1291 by MC2 Kevin C. Leitner |
Tommy Trampp |
09880507
211006-N-PQ586-1239 |
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USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5) anchors off Commander, Fleet Activities Okinawa White Beach Naval Facility, 6 October 2021.
Miguel Keith, assigned to Amphibious Squadron Eleven, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners
and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
U.S. Navy photo #'s 211006-N-PQ586-1239 and 211006-N-PQ586-1004 |
Lee Wahler |
09880508
211006-N-PQ586-1004 |
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09880514 |
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USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5) conducting flight operations, 1 February 2022, location unknown.
U.S. Navy photo # 220201-N-031-0004 |
Tommy Trampp |
