[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 87 (Friday, July 1, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 1, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
         TRIBUTE TO LT. GEN. WILLIAM M. KEYS, U.S. MARINE CORPS

  Mr. NUNN. Mr. President, I want to congratulate Lt. Gen. William M. 
Keys, USMC, the Commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic, on the 
occasion of his upcoming retirement from the Marine Corps.
  The thrust of his 34 distinguished years of military service can be 
summed up in an old Marine saying, ``Marines live by deeds and not by 
days.'' He has been chosen to and excelled at every level of command 
available to the Marine infantryman, and he has held positions of 
significant responsibility in which the prestige of the United States 
and the reputation of the Marine Corps were clearly borne on his 
shoulders in times of crisis. The choices he has made in his career 
clearly denote an individual who does not shrink from difficult and 
dangerous assignments but who actually thrives on them, especially 
those that offer the challenge of leading marines in combat. He has not 
only been repeatedly recognized for personal valor on the battlefield 
with the Nation's second highest award, but also for a cool-headed 
leadership style that has become his hallmark throughout the corps. He 
has also earned the nickname of ``Bulldog Keys'' for his leadership 
ability.
  Whether commanding a Marine rifle company in the Republic of Vietnam 
in 1966 or leading the illustrious 2d Marine Division in liberation of 
Kuwait City in 1991, Lt. Gen. Keys could always be found at the front 
of his troops, where he dominated the situation through his imposing 
moral, intellectual, and physical presence. In those times of 
uncertainty, strain, and exhaustion, his marines could find solace and 
strength in his forceful, confident manner and selfless example.
  Mr. President, Lieutenant General Keys has continued to lead from the 
front in his most recent assignment of great responsibility where he 
commanded one-half of the Marine Corps' operating forces. Responding 
with great flexibility and innovation to the innumerable changes 
resulting from the post-cold-war world, Lieutenant General Keys has 
enhanced the Marine Corps ability to operate jointly with its sister 
services and with our Allies in future conflicts and crises. The effect 
on his ideas and initiatives will be of long-lasting impact and 
importance to the Marine Corps of the future.
  Mr. President, I ask our colleagues to join me in congratulating 
General Keys as he ends his distinguished career of devoted service to 
our country. As a proud son of Pennsylvania, he is a man of immense 
talent, energy, and patriotism who no doubt will continue to serve the 
public good for many years to come in whatever endeavor he decides to 
enter. I know all of us thank him for his dedication, professionalism, 
and selfless service to the United States of America and to the men and 
women of our Marine Corps.
  I ask unanimous consent that his official biography be printed in the 
Record at this point.
  There being no objection, the biography was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                Lieutenant General William M. Keys, USMC

       Lieutenant General William M. Keys is the Commander, U.S. 
     Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic; Commanding General, Fleet 
     Marine Force, Atlantic; Commanding General, II Marine 
     Expeditionary Force; Commander, Marine Striking Force, 
     Atlantic; Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South 
     (Designate); and the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, 
     Europe (Designate). He was advanced to this present grade and 
     assumed his duties on June 25, 1991.
       A native of Fredericktown, PA., General Keys was 
     commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps 
     upon his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy with a B.S. 
     degree in June 1960. His professional military education 
     includes The Basic School, Amphibious Warfare School and the 
     Command and Staff College, all at Quantico, VA. General Keys 
     is also a graduate of the National War College in Washington, 
     D.C., and holds an M.S. degree from American University, and 
     an honorary Ph.D. in Public Service from Washington and 
     Jefferson College.
       Designated an infantry officer, General Keys has served at 
     every level of operational command: initially as a platoon 
     leader with 3d Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment; as a company 
     commander with the 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment in 
     Vietnam; as Commanding Officer, 3d Battalion, 5th Marine 
     Regiment; as Regimental Commander of the 6th Marines; and as 
     Commanding General, 2d Marine Division during Desert Storm 
     combat operations in Southwest Asia. There he led the 
     Division in its successful assault across the Kuwaiti border, 
     breaching Iraqi barriers and minefields, and into Kuwait 
     City. He also served an early tour with the Marine Detachment 
     aboard USS Long Beach, and a second tour in Vietnam as an 
     advisor to the Vietnamese Marine Corps.
       He has held the following principal staff assignments: 
     Infantry Officers' Monitor, Personnel Management Division, 
     Headquarters Marine Corps; Marine Corps Liaison Officer to 
     the U.S. Senate; Special Projects Directorate in the Office 
     of the Commandant; Aide de Camp to the Assistant Commandant 
     of the Marine Corps; Deputy Director, and subsequently 
     Director, Personnel Management Division, Manpower and Reserve 
     Affairs Department, HQMC; and the Deputy, Joint Secretariat, 
     Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C.
       General Keys' decorations and medals include: the Navy 
     Cross; Distinguished Service Medal; Silver Star Medal; Legion 
     of Merit with Combat ``V''; Bronze Star with Combat ``V''; 
     Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Combat Action Ribbon; 
     Presidential Unit Citation; Navy Unit Commendation; 
     Meritorious Unit Commendation; National Defense Service 
     Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze stars; Republic 
     of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Silver Star; 
     Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal (First Class); 
     Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry 
     Cross Color); Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation 
     (Civil Actions Color); and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign 
     Medal.

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