[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 185 (Wednesday, December 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE RETIREMENT OF LEONARD B. KELLER, CONGRESSIONAL 
                        MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 10, 2008

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to rise and 
recognize the service of Leonard Keller, who, after 22 years, will 
retire from the Naval Supply Center, Gulf Coast Supply Operations. Mr. 
Keller's dedicated civilian service is a capstone to his brave and 
dedicated military service in the Vietnam War.
  Born in Rockford, Illinois, Len was drafted into the United States 
Army in 1966. He attended basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and 
Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He was assigned to 
the 9th Infantry Division at Base Camp Doung Tam, Mekong Delta, 
Vietnam. In 1967 while sweeping through an area where an enemy ambush 
had occurred earlier, then-Sergeant Keller's unit suddenly came under 
intense automatic weapons and small-arms fire from a number of enemy 
bunkers and numerous snipers in nearby trees. Disregarding his own 
safety in the face of intense enemy fire, Sergeant Keller and a fellow 
soldier assaulted the enemy bunkers. They killed the enemy occupants in 
numerous bunkers thereby saving countless American lives. After his 
ammunition was exhausted, he assisted with the evacuation of the 
wounded. Many Americans who were in the Ap Bac Zone of the Republic of 
Vietnam on May 2, 1967 owe their lives to the brave actions of Leonard 
Keller. For his conspicuous gallantry in combat and risking his life 
above and beyond the call of duty, Leonard Keller was awarded the 
Congressional Medal of Honor.
  In 1986, Len came to Pensacola to work at the Naval Supply Center as 
an Inventory Management Specialist and has been an integral part of 
Gulf Coast Supply Operations for over the last 22 years. After 
retirement, he plans to split his time between Illinois and Florida. He 
plans to maintain an active role in the Medal of Honor, MOH, as he 
continues to attend numerous social events and conduct speaking 
engagements at various schools around the country. He also plans to 
establish the Leonard B. Keller scholarship fund at his high school in 
the near future.
  We honor the distinguished military and government service of Leonard 
Keller. Vicki and I wish him and his family best wishes for continued 
success. Our Nation is grateful for Len's dedicated and selfless 
service to the Nation. His life of courage, selfless service, and 
patriotism will serve as a shining example to future generations of 
Americans.

                          ____________________