Updated: Saturday, 15-Jul-2006 19:08:04 EDT
 

This ship was named in honor of:

Reinhardt John Keppler

Quoted from - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Reinhardt John Keppler, (22 January 1918 – 13 November 1942) was born in Ralston, Washington. He was raised in that state and, after graduation from Wapato High School, enlisted in the United States Navy on 19 February 1936. After an honorable discharge, he reenlisted 25 April 1940 and was assigned to the heavy cruiser San Francisco (CA-38). Keppler was promoted to First Class Petty Officer at the beginning of October 1941. During the war Boatswain's Mate First Class Keppler participated in action at Pearl Harbor, the early wartime raids on Bougainville and New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands campaign.

When a Japanese bomber crashed into his ship on 12 November 1942, at the beginning of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, he assisted in caring for the resulting casualties. That night, as San Francisco participated in a chaotic battle with enemy warships, he labored valiantly, despite mortal wounds, to save his ship and wounded shipmates. For his "extraordinary heroism and distinguished courage" on these occasions, BM1 Reinhardt J. Keppler was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

In 1946, the destroyer USS Keppler (DD-765) was named in his honor. - end quote

Quoted from - Surface Navy Association.

Awarded the Medal of Honor for Repair Party work aboard San Francisco during the 12-13 November battles in the Solomon Islands. When a enemy torpedo plane crashed on the after machine-gun platform, he removed the wounded and saved lives of shipmates who would have perished. That night, when the ship’s hanger was set afire by enemy projectiles off Savo Island, he bravely led a hose into the area and without assistance brought the fire under control. Later in the battle amid bursting shells, he directed fire fighting and assistance to wounded personnel, until he died from loss of blood. - end quote

 


Reinhardt John Keppler, Boatswain's Mate First Class, U.S. Navy
22 January 1918, Ralston, Washington - 13 November 1942, Solomon Islands

(24 years old)

US Navy Recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor


THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

REINHARDT JOHN KEPPLER
BOATSWAIN'S MATE FIRST CLASS
UNITED STATES NAVY

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

"For extraordinary heroism and distinguished courage above and beyond the call of duty while serving aboard the U.S.S. San Francisco during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands, 12-13 November 1942. When a hostile torpedo plane, during a daylight air raid, crashed on the after machine-gun platform, Keppler promptly assisted in removal of the dead and, by his capable supervision of the wounded, undoubtedly helped save the lives of several shipmates who otherwise might have perished. That night, when the ship's hangar was set afire during the great battle off Savo Island, he bravely led a hose into the starboard side of the stricken area and there, without assistance and despite frequent hits from terrific enemy bombardment, eventually brought the fire under control. Later, although mortally wounded, he labored valiantly in the midst of bursting shells, persistently directing fire-fighting operations and administering to wounded personnel until he finally collapsed from loss of blood. His great personal valor, maintained with utter disregard of personal safety, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

Recipient of the...
Navy Cross

Purple Heart