[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 156 (Monday, October 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE PASSING OF SERGEANT LEONARD B. KELLER, MEDAL OF 
                   HONOR RECIPIENT AND AMERICAN HERO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 26, 2009

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Sergeant Leonard B. Keller, a Vietnam veteran, Medal of Honor 
recipient, and American hero who passed away on October 18, 2009. 
Sergeant Keller spent a lifetime serving his country, his community, 
and his family, and I am proud to honor his life of dedication and 
service.
  Leonard Keller was a true American soldier. Born in Rockford, 
Illinois in 1947, he was drafted in the spring of 1966 at the age of 
19. After basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Advanced 
Infantry Training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, Sergeant Keller was assigned 
to the 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division at Base Camp Doung Tam in 
the Mekong Delta of Vietnam.
  On May 2, 1967, in the Ap Bac Zone of Vietnam, another U.S infantry 
company was ambushed by the Vietcong, and Sergeant Keller's unit went 
to rescue their comrades. Soon after his unit was dropped by 
helicopter, they came under intense automatic machine gunfire from 
numerous bunkers and several enemy snipers. Despite several calls for 
retreat, Sergeant Keller charged forward directly towards the enemy 
position. Disregarding his safety, he and a fellow soldier began a 
systematic assault on the enemy bunkers, taking out seven different 
enemy positions. Eventually the entire North Vietnamese force broke 
ranks and retreated. After exhausting his ammunition, Sergeant Keller 
then returned to assist in the evacuation of the wounded. Many 
Americans owe their lives to the courageous actions of Len Keller that 
day. President Lyndon Johnson awarded the Medal of Honor to Sergeant 
Keller on September 19, 1968 ``for conspicuous gallantry and 
intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call 
of duty.''
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am 
privileged to honor Len Keller as a Vietnam War hero and Northwest 
Florida leader. Today we recognize his distinguished military and 
government service, as well as a lifetime of dedication to the United 
States of America. Our nation is proud and grateful for his courage, 
service, and patriotism. My wife Vicki and I offer our prayers for his 
entire family as we remember and honor the life of Leonard Keller. He 
will be truly missed.

                          ____________________