Father's Name John W Keith Sr, born Alabama c1880.
Mother's Name Margie Jones, born Alabama c1886.
-----
USA Korean War Battle Deaths
Name John W Keith
Event Type Death
Event Date 13 Feb 1951
Event Place Korea
Gender Male
Race Caucasian
Citizenship Status U.S. Citizen
Casualty Type Note HOSTILE - Died while captured/interned
Military Service Branch U S ARMY
Military Component Reserve (USAR, USNR, USAFR, USMCR, USCGR)
Military Rank Colonel
Service Number 0032482
Birth Date 1914
Residence Place Jefferson, Alabama
Source Reference 12860
Affiliate ARC Identifier 571686
-----
USA Korean War Dead and Army Wounded
Name John W Keith
Event Type Military Service
Event Date 13 Feb 1951
Event Place South Korea
Casualty Detail Note Captured
Casualty Type Captured, Died nonbattle
Military Casualty Group Captured, Died nonbattle
Military Disposition Date 30 Apr 1951
Military Disposition Place South Korea
Military Rank Colonel
Service Number O-0032482
Military Service Branch Artillery
Program Sequence IN DIV - 2ND
Program Element IN DIV FA BN 105MMH
Military Component USA - RA (Reg Army)
Race White
Birth Year 1914
Residence Place Jefferson, Alabama
Affiliate ARC Identifier 583580
-----
Honolulu Memorial
Honolulu
Honolulu County
Hawaii, USA
Plot: Courts of the Missing.
-----
Col Keith was the Commanding Officer of the 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division during the Korean War. On February 11, 1951, thousands of Communist Chinese Forces (CCF) attacked the 8th Division of the Republic of Korea. The 8th was destroyed and the CCF were able move to the rear of the 2nd Infantry Division near Hoensong South Korea. The CCF setup roadblocks along the Hoensong-Hongchon Road in the early morning hours of February 13, 1951. The roadblocks trapped Keith's battalion and several other units. When Keith radioed division headquarters requesting permission to withdrawal, he was instructed to hold his position. Approximately one half hour later Keith and the other units were given permission to withdraw, but it was too late. When the Keith's battalion & the units withdrew from their positions they were decimated. Though his battalion, with heavy casualties, broke through, Keith was captured. Col Keith died in a North Korean prisoner of war camp on April 30, 1951. His remains were not recovered. For his actions on February 13, 1951, he was awarded the Legion of Merit for Valor. Col Keith's name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing.
-----
Find A Grave Memorial# 50961846
=====
USA Census, 1920
Name John W Keith Jr.
Titles and Terms Jr
Event Place Birmingham, Jefferson, Alabama
Gender Male
Age 5
Marital Status Single
Race White
Relationship to Head of Household Son
Birth Year (Estimated) 1915
Birthplace Alabama
Father's Birthplace Alabama
Mother's Birthplace Alabama
Sheet Letter A
Sheet Number 7
John W Keith Head M 41 Alabama
Margie Keith Wife F 35 Alabama
Owen Keith Son M 10 Alabama
John W Keith Jr. Son M 5 Alabama
-----
USA Census, 1940 and 1930 (but 10 years younger)
Name John W Keith
Event Place Tract 47, Birmingham, Election Precinct 46, Jefferson, Alabama
Gender Male
Age 25
Marital Status Single
Race White
Relationship to Head of Household Son
Birthplace Alabama
Birth Year (Estimated) 1915
Last Place of Residence Same Place
John W Keith Head M 60 Alabama
Morgie Keith Wife F 54 Alabama
Owen J Keith Son M 30 Alabama
John W Keith Son M 25 Alabama
Stephen A Keith Son M 17 Alabama