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Hispanic-American Medal of Honor Recipients KEITH, MIGUEL Rank and organization: Lance
Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Combined Action platoon 1-3-2, 111 Marine Amphibious
Force.
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Hispanic-American Medal of Honor Recipients KEITH, MIGUEL Rank and organization: Lance
Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Combined Action platoon 1-3-2, 111 Marine Amphibious
Force.
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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. During the early morning L/Cpl.
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 machinegun
fire against the enemy. Determined to stop 5 of the enemy soldiers approaching the
command post, he rushed forward, firing as he advanced. He succeeded in disposing
of 3 of the attackers and in dispersing the remaining 2. At this point, a grenade
detonated near L/Cpl. 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 25 enemy soldiers who were massing to attack.
The vigor of his assault and his well-placed fire eliminated 4 of the enemy soldiers
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, L/Cpl. 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 U.S. Naval Service.