Hospital Corpsman Third Class Keenan served with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Although wounded, he refused evacuation and was killed while tending his wounded comrades from Company F near "Reno Block", Korea on March 27, 1953.
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Hospital Corpsman Third Class Joseph Francis Keenan (NSN: 9007036), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Hospital Corpsman for Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in the Republic of Korea on 26 and 27 March 1953. On the evening of 26 March, 3,500 enemy soldiers attacked 120 Marines at three small outposts forward of the Marines' main line of resistance. Petty Officer Keenan's company moved forward to repel the enemy when they were pinned down by murderous artillery and mortar fire. While moving to treat one of the numerous casualties, he was struck down by shrapnel in the hand. Petty Officer Keenan waived off Medical attention from another hospital corpsman, directing that assistance to his wounded Marines, when he was struck a second time in the head. Despite the serious nature of his wounds, he returned to the fight immediately after basic treatment and a resupply of medical items. Moving through open terrain to treat the wounded, Petty Officer Keenan was partially blinded by dirt from one of the many nearby explosions. Although his sight was impaired, he found and assisted two hospital corpsmen in caring for bleeding Marines in an open position. Having helped the casualties there, Petty Officer Keenan struck out to find other wounded despite his own pain and the constant threat of deadly shellfire. Petty Officer Keenan then proceeded to collect and treat six casualties in a gully that afforded scant cover. When two Marines saw his wounds and his dangerous situation, he defiantly refused their pleas to seek treatment and safety for himself. Holding his duty to his patients paramount, he remained with his downed comrades. Later in the fight, Petty Officer Keenan was struck by shrapnel as he continued his ministrations of mercy, gallantly sacrificing his life for his Marines and for his Country. Petty Officer Keenan's courage, drive and unselfish dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Authorized by Public Law 105-261, section 532 (d)
Action Date: March 26 & 27, 1953
Service: Navy
Rank: Hospital Corpsman Third Class
Company: Corpsman (Attached), Company F
Battalion: 2d Battalion
Regiment: 5th Marines
Division: 1st Marine Division (Reinforced)
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Hospital Corpsman Third Class Joseph Francis Keenan (NSN: 9007036), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Hospital Corpsman for Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in the Republic of Korea on 26 and 27 March 1953. On the evening of 26 March, 3,500 enemy soldiers attacked 120 Marines at three small outposts forward of the Marines' main line of resistance. Petty Officer Keenan's company moved forward to repel the enemy when they were pinned down by murderous artillery and mortar fire. While moving to treat one of the numerous casualties, he was struck down by shrapnel in the hand. Petty Officer Keenan waived off Medical attention from another hospital corpsman, directing that assistance to his wounded Marines, when he was struck a second time in the head. Despite the serious nature of his wounds, he returned to the fight immediately after basic treatment and a resupply of medical items. Moving through open terrain to treat the wounded, Petty Officer Keenan was partially blinded by dirt from one of the many nearby explosions. Although his sight was impaired, he found and assisted two hospital corpsmen in caring for bleeding Marines in an open position. Having helped the casualties there, Petty Officer Keenan struck out to find other wounded despite his own pain and the constant threat of deadly shellfire. Petty Officer Keenan then proceeded to collect and treat six casualties in a gully that afforded scant cover. When two Marines saw his wounds and his dangerous situation, he defiantly refused their pleas to seek treatment and safety for himself. Holding his duty to his patients paramount, he remained with his downed comrades. Later in the fight, Petty Officer Keenan was struck by shrapnel as he continued his ministrations of mercy, gallantly sacrificing his life for his Marines and for his Country. Petty Officer Keenan's courage, drive and unselfish dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Authorized by Public Law 105-261, section 532 (d)
Action Date: March 26 & 27, 1953
Service: Navy
Rank: Hospital Corpsman Third Class
Company: Corpsman (Attached), Company F
Battalion: 2d Battalion
Regiment: 5th Marines
Division: 1st Marine Division (Reinforced)
Hospital Corpsman Third Class Keenan served with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Although wounded, he refused evacuation and was killed while tending his wounded comrades from Company F near "Reno Block", Korea on March 27, 1953.
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Hospital Corpsman Third Class Joseph Francis Keenan (NSN: 9007036), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Hospital Corpsman for Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in the Republic of Korea on 26 and 27 March 1953. On the evening of 26 March, 3,500 enemy soldiers attacked 120 Marines at three small outposts forward of the Marines' main line of resistance. Petty Officer Keenan's company moved forward to repel the enemy when they were pinned down by murderous artillery and mortar fire. While moving to treat one of the numerous casualties, he was struck down by shrapnel in the hand. Petty Officer Keenan waived off Medical attention from another hospital corpsman, directing that assistance to his wounded Marines, when he was struck a second time in the head. Despite the serious nature of his wounds, he returned to the fight immediately after basic treatment and a resupply of medical items. Moving through open terrain to treat the wounded, Petty Officer Keenan was partially blinded by dirt from one of the many nearby explosions. Although his sight was impaired, he found and assisted two hospital corpsmen in caring for bleeding Marines in an open position. Having helped the casualties there, Petty Officer Keenan struck out to find other wounded despite his own pain and the constant threat of deadly shellfire. Petty Officer Keenan then proceeded to collect and treat six casualties in a gully that afforded scant cover. When two Marines saw his wounds and his dangerous situation, he defiantly refused their pleas to seek treatment and safety for himself. Holding his duty to his patients paramount, he remained with his downed comrades. Later in the fight, Petty Officer Keenan was struck by shrapnel as he continued his ministrations of mercy, gallantly sacrificing his life for his Marines and for his Country. Petty Officer Keenan's courage, drive and unselfish dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Authorized by Public Law 105-261, section 532 (d)
Action Date: March 26 & 27, 1953
Service: Navy
Rank: Hospital Corpsman Third Class
Company: Corpsman (Attached), Company F
Battalion: 2d Battalion
Regiment: 5th Marines
Division: 1st Marine Division (Reinforced)
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Hospital Corpsman Third Class Joseph Francis Keenan (NSN: 9007036), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Hospital Corpsman for Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in the Republic of Korea on 26 and 27 March 1953. On the evening of 26 March, 3,500 enemy soldiers attacked 120 Marines at three small outposts forward of the Marines' main line of resistance. Petty Officer Keenan's company moved forward to repel the enemy when they were pinned down by murderous artillery and mortar fire. While moving to treat one of the numerous casualties, he was struck down by shrapnel in the hand. Petty Officer Keenan waived off Medical attention from another hospital corpsman, directing that assistance to his wounded Marines, when he was struck a second time in the head. Despite the serious nature of his wounds, he returned to the fight immediately after basic treatment and a resupply of medical items. Moving through open terrain to treat the wounded, Petty Officer Keenan was partially blinded by dirt from one of the many nearby explosions. Although his sight was impaired, he found and assisted two hospital corpsmen in caring for bleeding Marines in an open position. Having helped the casualties there, Petty Officer Keenan struck out to find other wounded despite his own pain and the constant threat of deadly shellfire. Petty Officer Keenan then proceeded to collect and treat six casualties in a gully that afforded scant cover. When two Marines saw his wounds and his dangerous situation, he defiantly refused their pleas to seek treatment and safety for himself. Holding his duty to his patients paramount, he remained with his downed comrades. Later in the fight, Petty Officer Keenan was struck by shrapnel as he continued his ministrations of mercy, gallantly sacrificing his life for his Marines and for his Country. Petty Officer Keenan's courage, drive and unselfish dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Authorized by Public Law 105-261, section 532 (d)
Action Date: March 26 & 27, 1953
Service: Navy
Rank: Hospital Corpsman Third Class
Company: Corpsman (Attached), Company F
Battalion: 2d Battalion
Regiment: 5th Marines
Division: 1st Marine Division (Reinforced)
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